i 


GIFT  OF 

R   x.    LlNQLlbl 


STUDIES  IN  READING 

SEVENTH   GRADE 


BY 


J.  W.   S^ARSON 


Professor  of  the  English  Language,  Kansas  State  Agricultural, 
College,  Manhattan 

AND 

GEORGE  E.  MARTIN 

Superintendent  of  City  Schools, 
Nebraska  City,  Nebraska 


Cbtcago  anb  Xincoln 
THE   UNIVERSITY   PURLISHING   COMPANY 

1914 


•  •    • 
•••  • 


.  •   .•  • 


( 


•  •  • 

•  •        • 

•  •  ••  • 


Copyright,  1914 
THE  UNIVERSITY  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 


All  Rights  Reserved 


Gift 

EDUCATION  DEPT. 


CTfje  Haftrsfbr  )^rr00 

R.  R.  DONNELLEY  A  SONS  COMPANY 
CHICAGO 


PREFACE 


n  EADING  with  appreciation  is  a  fine  art. 
-^^  This  volume  contains  some  of  the  gems  of 
literature  which  the  race  has  learned  to  love. 
Some  of  the  best  "old-fashioned"  selections,  and 
some  of  the  most  charming  new  short  classics, 
are  offered  as  a  basis  for  study  and  appreciation. 

The  average  pupil  will  study  his  reading  les- 
son with  zest  if  he  is  given  some  definite  work 
to  do.  In  these  studies,  the  brief  introduction 
to  each  selection  is  intended  to  whet  the  pupil's 
"appetite,"  thus  awakening  a  proper  incentive 
to  study  the  selection.  The  exercises  following 
each  study  are  arranged  to  make  his  study  defi- 
nite and  to  the  point.  Helpful  notes  are  added 
wherever  necessary,  and  additional  readings  are 
given  to  afford  the  means  of  broadening  and 
deepening  the  impressions  gained  in  directed 
study.  Each  study  presents  a  definite  problem 
to  the  pupil,  with  sufficient  helps  and  suggestions 
to  enable  him  to  work  out  a  solution. 

The  pupil  must  be  taught  how  to  use  the 
dictionary  intelligently.  Word-lists,  are  given 
on  each  study.  Other  words  and  phrases  should 
be  added  as  the  needs  of  the  class  demand.  All 
words  not  clear  to  pupils  should  be  studied  by 


111 


iv  PREFACE 


means  of  the  dictionary.  The  intelhgent  use  of 
the  dictionary  enables  the  child  to  become  inde- 
pendent in  enlarging  his  own  vocabulary.  The 
best  teachers  of  reading  agree  that  it  is  better 
to  teach  pupils  of  this  grade  to  use  the  dictionar\^ 
intelligently  than  to  permit  them  to  rely  on  pro- 
nouncing vocabularies  in  their  readers. 

All  methods,  devices,  and  helpful  exercises 
usually  employed  in  teaching  reading  are  brought 
to  bear  the  best  fruit  when  reinforced  by  well- 
directed  study. 

The  authors  desire  to  acknowledge  their  in- 
debtedness to  the  school  men  and  school  women 
who  have  already  proved  the  worth  of  these 
studies  in  schoolroom  practice.  Especial  thanks 
are  due  Superintendent  A.  H.  Waterhouse,  Fre- 
mont, Nebraska;  Superintendent  Alice  Florer, 
York  County,  Nebraska ;  President  J.  W.  Crab- 
tree,  River  Falls,  Wisconsin;  Professor  E.  L. 
Holton,  of  the  Department  of  Sociology  and 
Rural  Education  in  the  Kansas  State  Agricul- 
tural College,  for  helpful  criticisms  and  sug- 
gestions; and  to  former  State  Superintendent 
W.  K.  Fowler  of  Nebraska,  for  expert  care, 
criticism,  and  corrections  in  the  preparation  of 
this  volume. 

J.  W.   Searson. 
G.  E.  Martin. 


CONTENTS 


Abou  Ben  Adhem 

Live  To-day 

The  Old  Pukitan  Lawmaker 

Work  Done  Squarely 

Little  Boy  Blue 

Swimmers  in  a  Sea 

TiiE   Boys 

The  Boston  Tea  Party 

Life  .... 

Excelsior         .        , 

A  Life  Lesson 

A  Rose  to  the  Living 

The  Great  Thing    . 

The  Tapestry  Weavers 

Eternal  Equities    . 

The  Soldier's  Reprieve 

Action 

Song  of  Marion's  Men 

The   Sleep 

Service 

Low  Aim  Is  Crime 

Sweet  and  Low 

The  Death  of  the  Dauphin 

The  Blind  Weaver 

Dawn 

What  Makes  a  Nation 

The  Lights  of  London  Town 

The  Wonderful  On 

Portia's  Plea 

Leonainie 

hohenlinden 

A  Good  Name 

A  Call  to  Arms 


.   page 

Leigh  Hunt  1 

Anonymous  3 

Robert  E.  Lee  4 

James  Russell  Lowell  7 

.    Eugene  Field  8 

Matthew  Arnold  10 

.    Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  11 

George  Bancroft  16 

.    Anna  Letitia  Barhauld  22 

Henry  Wadsicorth  Longfellow  23 

.    James  Whitcomh  Riley  27 

Nixon  Waterman  30 

.     Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  30 

Anson  G.  Chester  31 

Edwin  Markham  34 

.      R.  D.  C.  Rohhins  35 

John  Greenleaf  Whittier  44 

.    William  Cullen  Bryant  45 

Elizabeth  Barrett  Broiuning  50 

From  Browning's  "Pippa  Passes"  55 

Anonymous  55 

Alfred  Tennyson  56 

Alphonse  Daudet  58 

Beth  Day  64 

Edward  Everett  65 

.    W.  D.  Nesbit  69 

George  R.  Sims  70 

E-Hoss  Shay  .     Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  73 

William  Shakespeare  80 

James  Whitcomb  Riley  81 

.     Thomas  Campbell  87 

William  Shakespeare  90 

Patrick  Henry  91 


VI 


CONTENTS 


Dare  to  Do  Right George  L.  Taylor 

Make  Way  for  Liberty  .         .         .  James  Montgomery 

Dr.  Johnson's  Letter  to  His  Dying  INIotiier 

Samuel  Johnson 
Horatius  at  the  Bridge  .  Thomas  Babington  Macaulay 
True  Courage  .        .         .         .James  Russell  Lowell 

CiNEVRA Samuel  Rogers 

The  Death  of  Little  Nell  .  .  .  Charles  Dickens 
The  Nature  of  Love  .  .  .  Henry  Ward  Beecher 
The  Song  of  the  Shirt         .         .         .  Thomas  Hood 

A   Loftier   Way       .         .         .  Ralph    Waldo    Emerson 

He  Never  Smiled  Again         .         .         .       Charles  Dickens 

The  Ladder  of  Saint  Augustine 

Henry  Wadstrorth  Longfellow 


Patriotism       .... 

The  Mountain  of  Miseries    . 

The  Glove  and  the  Lions 

How  Sleep  the  Brave     . 

The  Shepherd  of  King  Admetus 

Washington     .... 

Washington     .... 

Constant  Christmas 

No  Harm  Can  Come 

The  Bishop  and  the  Convict 

A  Call  to  Courage 

Tubal  Cain      .... 

Wave  and  Tide 

The  Earth  and  Man 

Elegy  Written  in  a  Country  Cm 

Take  Joy  Home 

Spartacus  to  the  Gladiators 

On  His  Blindness 

The  Loss  of  the  Birkenhead 

Satisfied  .... 

Pleasures        .... 

The  Raven       .        . 

We  Should  Rest     . 

Antony's  Oration 


Bishop  J.  L.  Spalding 

Joseph  Addison 

Leigh  Hunt 

William  Collins 

James  Russell  Lowell 

Abraham  Lincoln 

George  Gordon  Byron 

Phillips  Brooks 

John  Greenleaf  Whittier 

Victor  Hugo 

.     Marcus  An  ton  ifi  us 

Charles   MniL-ini 

Prisoilla  Leonard 

Stopford  A.   Brooke 

KCHYARD       Thomas  Grail 

.    Jean  IngrUnr 

Elijah  Kellogg 

John  Milton 

Sir  F.  H.  Doyle 

Margaret  E.  Sangstrr 

Robert  Burns 

Edgar  Allan  l*oc 

Anonymous 


From  Shakespeare's  '^Julius  Cassar" 


page 

99 

100 

106 
107 
112 
113 
118 
124 
125 
130 
131 

135 
139 

140 
141) 
152 
153 
158 
158 
159 
102 
103 
178 
179 
1S3 
1S() 
1S7 
1  '.)S 
199 
200 
207 
211 
•J  11 
212 
223 
224 


CONTENTS 


Vll 


Three  Gates  of  Gold 

True  Dignity 

The  Brother  of  Mercy 

My  Country     .... 

The  Burial  of  Moses 

Service     

Think  for  Thyself 

Truth       

Lincoln,  the  Great  Commoner 
The  Trial  by  Combat 
The  Parting  of  the  Ways 
Oh,  Why  Should  the  Spirit  of 

Unweaponed  Peace 

Supposed  Speech  of  John  Adams 

Dixie         .... 

For  a'  That  and  a'  That 

Lo,  the  Poor  Indian!  .    . 

The  Lord's  Prayer 

The  Vision  of  Sib  Launfal 

My  Symphony 

Thanatopsis    ... 

Rip  Van  Winkle    . 

A  Prophecy 


page 

Selected  235 

Wadsivorth  235 

John  Greenleaf  Whittier  236 

Marie  Zetterherg  243 

Cecil  Frances  Alexander  244 

.    Edward  Markham  251 

.     Walter  Scott  251 

William  Cullen  Bryant  251 

Edwin  Markham  252 

Sir  Walter  Scott  257 

Joseph  B.  Gilder  275 

Mortal  Be  Proud?   . 

William  Knox  278 

Anonymous  283 

Daniel  Webster  284 

Daniel  Decatur  Emmett  291 

.    Robert  Burns  297 

Alexander  Pope  301 

The  Bible  302 

James  Russell  Lowell  304 

■illiam  Ellery  Channing  327 

William  Cullen  Bryant  328 

.  Washington  Irving  334 

Mother  Shipton  371 


W 


INDEX  OF  AUTHORS 

PAGE 

Addison,  Joseph 

The  Mountain  of  Miseries        ......       140 

Alexander,  Cecil  Frances 

The  Burial  of  Moses .244 

Antoninus,  Marcus 

A  Call  to  Courage 178 

Arnold,  Matthew 

Swimmers  in  a  Sea 10 

Bancroft,  George 

The    Boston    Tea 'Party  .         .         .         .         .         .         16 

Barbauld,  Anna  Letitia 

Life 22 

Beecher,  Henry  Ward 

The  Nature  of  Love 124 

Bible,  The 

The   Lord's  Prayer 302 

Browning,  Elizabeth  Barrett 

The  Sleep 50 

Browning,  Robert 

Service 55 

Brooke,  Stopford  A. 

The  Earth  and  Man 186 

Brooks,  Phillips 

Constant  Christmas 159 

Bryant,  William  Cullen 

Song  of  Marion's  Men .         45 

Truth 251 

Thanatopsis 328 

Byron,  George  Gordon 

Washington      .         . 158 

Burns,  Robert 

Pleasures 211 

For  a'  That,  and  a'  That  .  «  .  .  .  .297 
Campbell,  Thomas 

Hohenlinden  ....,»...  87 
Channing,  William  Ellery 

My  SjTnphony  .         .         ......       327 

ix 


INDEX    OF   AUTHORS 


PAGE 

Chester,  Anson  G. 

The  Tapestry  Weavers 31 

Collins,  William 

How  Sleep  the  Brave 152 

Daudet,  Alphonse 

The  Death  of  the  DauphiJi 58 

Day,  Beth 

The  Blind  Weaver 64 

Dickens,  Charles 

.  The  Death  of  Little  Nell IIR 

He  Never  Smiled  Again 131 

Doyle,  Sir  F.  H. 

The  Loss  of  the  Birkenhead 207 

Emerson,  Ralph  Waldo 

A  Loftier  Way         ....         ^        ...       130 
Emmet,  Daniel  Decatur 

Dixie 291 

Everett,  Edward 

Dawn 65 

Field,  Eugene 

Little  Boy  Blue 8 

Gildkr,  Joseph  B. 

The  Parting  of  the  Ways 275 

Gray.  Thomas 

Elegy  Written  in  a  Country  Churchyard        .         .         .       187 
Henry,  Patrick 

A  Call  to  Arms 91 

Holmes,  Oliver  Wendell 

The  Boys  .........         1 1 

The  Great  Thing 30 

The  Wonderful  One-Hosa  Shay 73 

Hood,  Thomas 

The  Song  of  the  Sliirt 125 

Hugo,  Victor 

The  Bishop  and  tlie  Convict 163 

Hunt,  Leigh 

Abou  Ben  Adhem 1 

The  Glove  and  the  Lions         ......       149 

Ingelow,  Jean 

Take  Joy  Home 198 

Irving,  Washington 

Rip  Van  Winkle 334 

Johnson.  Samuel 

Dr.  Johnson's  Letter  to  His  Dying  Mother      .         .         .       100 


INDEX   OF   AUTHORS  xi 


PAGE 

Kellogg,  Elijah 

Spartacus  to  the  Gladiators 199 

Knox,  William 

Oh,  Why  Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  Be  Proud  ?  .       278 

Leonard,  Priscilla 

Wave  and  Tide 183 

Lee,  Robert  E. 

The  Old  Puritan  Lawmaker 4 

Lincoln,  Abraham 

W^ashington      .........       158 

Longfellow,  Henry  Wadsworth 

Excelsior 23 

Tlie  Ladder  of  Saint  Augustine 135 

Lowell,  James  Russell 

Work  Done  Squarely        .......  7 

True  Courage  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .112 

The  Shepherd  of  King  Admetu^ 153 

The  Vision  of  Sir  Launfal 304 

Macaulay,  Thomas  Babington 

Horatius  at  the  Bridge 107 

Mack  AY,  Charles 

Tubal  Cain .         .179 

Markham,  Edwin 

Eternal   Equities 34 

Service 251 

Lincoln,  the  Great  Commoner 252 

Milton,  John 

On  His  Blindness 206 

Montgomery,  James 

Make  Way  for  Liberty 100 

Nesbit,  W.  D. 

What  Makes  a  Nation  •  ......         69 

Poe,  Edgar  Allan 

The  Raven 212 

Pope,  Alexander 

Lo,  the  Poor  Indian 301 

Riley,  James  Whitcomb 

A   Life    Lesson  .........        27 

Leonainie  .....         o         ...         81 

ROBBINS,  R.  D.  C. 

The  Soldier's  Reprieve     .         .         o         »         .         .         .         35 

Rogers,  Samuel 

Ginevra    .         .         .         .         .         o         ,         .         .         .113 


xii  INDEX   OF   AUTHORS 


PAGE 

Sangster,  Margaret  E. 

Satisfied 211 

Scott,  Sir  Walter 

Think  for  Thyself 251 

The  Trial  by  Combat 257 

Shakespeare,  William 

Portia's   Plea 80 

A  Good   Name 90 

Antony's  Oration 224 

Shipton,  Mother 

A  Prophecy .         .371 

Sims,  George  R. 

The  Lights  of  London  Town    .         .         .         .         .         .         70 

Spalding.  Bishop  J.  L. 

Patriotism .         .139 

Taylor,  George  L. 

Dare  to  Do  Right 99 

Tennyson,  Alfred 

Sweet  and  Low 56 

Wadsworth 

True  Dignity 235 

Waterman,  Nixon 

A  Rose  to  the  Living 30 

Webster,  Daniel 

Supposed  Speech  of  John  Adams 284 

Whittier,  John  Greenleaf 

Action 44 

No  Harm  Can  Come 102 

The  Brother  of  Mercy 236 

Zetterberg,  Marie 

My  Country 243 


STUDIES  IN  READING 


ABOU   BEN    ADHEM 

^T^HE  story  is  told  of  a  certain  rich  man  of 
the  East  whose  wife  had  passed  away,  and 
whose  children  had  grown  up  and  moved  to  far 
distant  countries.  He  was  a  wise  man,  kind- 
hearted,  who  loved  people.  So  he  filled  his 
large  house  with  poor,  homeless  children,  whose 
grateful  smiles  gladdened  him,  and  whose  gay 
laughter  filled  his  old  heart  with  joy.  The  weary 
traveler,  the  poor  outcast,  and  the  sick  or  sor- 
rowful alike  received  comfort  and  cheer  beneath 
the  hospitable  roof  and  around  the  heavily  laden 
board  of  the  old  patriarch. .  What  unspeakable 
joy  and  peace  touched  his  heart  as  he  saw  cheer 
and  gladness  illumine  the  dark  hearts  of  his 
fellow  beings.  One  night  he  awoke  from  peace- 
ful sleep  to  see  the  room  enriched  with  the  sub- 
dued light  of  a  beautiful  angel  presence,  who  told 
him  his  name  was  not  recorded  in  the  "book  of 
gold"  with  "the  names  of  those  who  love  the 
Lord."  "I  pray  thee,  then,"  said  he  cheerily 
and  low,  "write  my  name  as  one  who  loves  his 
fellow  men."     And  lo!  God,  through  the  angel 

1 


^TUDMS  IN  READING 


presence,  recognized  in  this  the  true  relationship 
of  a  devout  follower,  and  gave  the  peaceful  old 
patriarch  first  place  among  all  those  whose  lives 
were  blessed  by  love  of  God.  The  poet  here 
catches  the  lofty  vision  that  loving  and  serving 
one's  fellow  man  is  the  primary  way  one  can 
love  and  serve  his  God.  "Inasmuch  as  ye  did 
it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye 
did  it  unto  me." 

ABOU   BEN   ADHEM 

Abou  Ben  Adhem  (may  his  tribe  increase!) 
Awoke  one  night  from  a  deep  dream  of  peace. 
And  saw,  within  the  moonlight  in  his  room, 
Making  it  rich,  and  like  a  lily  in  bloom. 
An  angel,  writing  in  a  book  of  gold. 
Exceeding  peace  had  made  Ben  Adhcm  bold, 
And  to  the  Presence  in  the  room  he  said, 
"What  writcst  thou?"     The  vision  raised  its  head. 
And,  with  a  look  made  all  of  sweet  accord, 
Answered,   "The   names   of   those   who   love   the 

Lord." 
"And  is  mine  one?"  said  Abou;    "Nay,  not  so," 
Replied  the  angel.     Abou  spoke  more  low. 
But  cheerily  still;  and  said,  "I  pray  thcc,  then. 
Write  me  as  one  who  loves  his  fellow  men." 
The  angel  wrote  and  vanished.     The  next  night 
It  came  again,  with  a  great  awakening  light, 
And  showed  the  names  of  those  whom  love  of  God 

had  blessed — 
And,  lo!  Ben   Adhem's  name   led  all   the  rest. 

— Leigh   Hunt. 


ABOU  BEN  ADHEM 


EXERCISES 

1.  What   leads   the   author   at  the   outset  to  exclaim   enthusias- 

tically "may  his  tribe  increase!"? 

2.  In    what   frame    of    mind    did    Abou    Ben    Adhem    behold    the 

vision  ? 

3.  What  was  Ben  Adhem 's  feeling  when  he  found  his  name  was 

not  among  the  names  of  those  who  loved  the  Lord  ? 

4.  What  request  did  he  make  ? 

5.  In  what  mood  did  he  make  the  request? 

6.  How    could    he    have    "exceeding    peace"    under    such    circum- 

stances ? 

7.  How  was  God's  acceptance  of  Ben  Adhem's  service  shown? 

8.  What  doctrine  of  life  is  here  set  forth  ? 
0.  Why  is  this  poem  so  popular? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Stevenson:  The  Lamplighter. 

Longfellow:   Santa   Filomena. 

WiiiTTiER:   Riches  of  the  Commonwealth,     The  Brother  of  Mercy. 

George  P,  Lathrop:  The  Star  to  Its  Light. 

Matthew  xxv,  34-46. 

Luke  x,  25-37 :   Story  of  the  Good  Samaritan. 

Lowell:  Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.     Yussouf. 

Foss,  S.  W. :    The  House  by  the  Side  of  the  Road. 

Naylor:    Dr.   John  Goodfellow — Office  Upstairs. 


LIVE  TO-DAY 


Yesterday  is  a  memory. 
To-morrow  is  an  imagination, 
To-day  is  eternity. 
Live  to-day  and  live  forever. 
Cut  out  two  days  of  your  life — 
Yesterday  with  its  mistakes  and  follies. 
To-morrow  with  its  fears  and  dreads, 
And  live  only  to-day. 

— Anonymous. 


THE    OLD    PURITAN   LAWMAKER 

/^ENERAL  Robert  E.  Lee,  a  general  who 
was  great  enough  to  bear  defeat  heroically, 
wrote  the  following  in  a  letter  to  his  son,  G.  W. 
Curtis  Lee,  while  his  son  was  attending  college. 
The  letter  contains  such  good  advice  from  an 
eminent  father  to  his  son  that  we  are  naturally 
anxious  to  read  it  closely.  The  incident  told  of 
the  old  Puritan  legislator  is  one  of  the  best 
illustrations  we  have  of  faithful  adherence  to 
duty. 

THE  OLD  PURITAN  LAWMAKER 
You  must  study  to  be  frank  with  the  world. 
Frankness  is  the  child  of  honesty  and  courage. 
Say  just  what  you  mean  to  do  on  every  occasion, 
and  take  it  for  granted  you  mean  to  do  right.  If 
a  friend  asks  a  favor,  you  should  grant  it,  if  it  is 
reasonable;  if  not,  tell  him  plainly  why  you  can- 
not; you  would  wrong  hinl  and  wrong  yourself 
by  equivocation  of  any  kind. 

Never  do  a  wrong  thing  to  make  a  friend  or 
keep  one;  the  man  who  requires  you  to  do  so  is 
dearly  purchased  at  a  sacrifice.  Deal  kindly,  but 
firmly,  with  all  your  classmates;  you  will  find  it 
the  policy  which  wears  best.  Above  all,  do  not 
appear  to  others  what  you  are  not. 

4 


THE  OLD  PURITAN  LAWMAKER  5 

If  you  have  any  fault  to  find  with  any  one,  tell 
him,  not  others,  of  what  you  complain;  there  is 
no  more  dangerous  experiment  than  that  of  un- 
dertaking to  be  one  thing  before  a  man's  face  and 
another  behind  his  back.  We  should  live,  act,  and 
say  nothing  to  the  injury  of  any  one.  It  is  not 
only  best  as  a  matter  of  principle,  but  it  is  a  path 
of  peace  and  honor. 

In  regard  to  duty,  let  me,  in  conclusion  of  this 
hasty  letter,  inform  you  that  nearly  a  hundred 
years  ago  there  was  a  day  of  remarkable  gloom 
and  darkness, — still  known  as  "the  dark  day," — 
a  da}^  when  the  light  of  the  sun  was  slowly  extin- 
guished, as  if  by  an  eclipse. 

The  Legislature  of  Connecticut  was  in  session, 
and  as  its  members  saw  the  unexpected  and  un- 
accountable darkness  coming  on,  they  shared  in 
the  general  awe  and  terror.  It  was  supposed  by 
many  that  the  last  day — the  judgment  day — had 
come.  Some  one,  in  the  consternation  of  the  hour, 
moved  an  adjournment. 

Then  there  arose  an  old  Puritan  legislator,  Dav- 
enport, of  Stamford,  and  said  that,  if  the  last  day 
had  come,  he  wished  to  be  found  at  his  place  do- 
ing his  duty,  and  therefore  moved  that  candles  be 
brought  in,  so  that  the  house  could  proceed  with 
its  duty. 

There  was  a  quietness  in  that  man's  mind,  the 
qulejtft^ss  of  heavenly  wisdom  and  inflexible  will- 
ingness to  obey  present  duty.     Duty,  then,  is  the 


STUDIES  IN  READING 


subliniest  word  in  our  language.  Do  your  duty 
in  all  things  like  the  old  Puritan.  You  cannot  do 
more;  you  should  never  wish  to  do  less.  Never 
let  your  mother  or  me  wear  one  gray  hair  for  lack 
of  duty  on  your  part. 

— Robert  E.  Lee. 

NOTES 

1.  General  Robert  E.  Lee  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1807,  and  died 

in  1870,  after  a  most  brilliant  career  as  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Confederate  Army  during  the  Civil  War,  As  a  mili- 
tary leader,  he  was  dashing  and  brilliant;  as  a  student,  he 
was  highly  educated ;  and  as  a  father,  he  was  kind  and  sym- 
pathetic, 

2.  Davenport,  of  Stamford.     The  incident  as  given  here  is  histor- 

ically correct. 

3.  Look  up  the  meaning  of  the  following  words :     frankness,  prin- 

ciple, equivocation,  experiment,  extinguished,  sacrifice,  unac- 
countable, consternation,  adjournment,  inflexible,  sublimest. 

EXERCISES 

L  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  first  direction  given  to  the  son? 

2.  Wliat  other  principles  of  right  conduct  are  in  the  first  para- 

graph ? 

3.  What  policy  wears  best  in  dealing  with  others? 

4.  Explain  the  "dangerous  experiment"  mentioned  in  paragraph  3. 

5.  What  principle  makes  possible  the  "path  to  peace  and  honor"? 

6.  What  "dark  day"  is  mentioned? 

7.  Does  this  letter  appear  to  you  "hasty"?     Explain. 

8.  How  did  many  regard  the  day?     Who  were  the  Puritans? 

9.  What  motion  was  first  made  ? 

10.  What  motion  did  the  old  Puritan  legislator  make? 

11.  What  reason  did  he  give  for  his  motion? 

12.  Explain  "Duty  is  the  sublimest  word  in  our  language." 

13.  What  final  caution  was  given  the  son  ? 

14.  Write  out  in  your  own  words  the  five  best  rules  of  conduct  con- 

tained in  this  letter. 


THE  OLD  PURITAN  LAWMAKER 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Washington:  Rules  of  Civility. 

Jefferson  :  Ten  Rules. 

Frankun:  Autobiography,  Chapter  on  Self-Examination. 

Whittieb:  Abraham  Davenport. 

Smiles:  Character.  Duty. 

Lorimer:   Letters  of  a  Self-Made  Merchant  to  His  Son. 

Lanier:  Power  of  Prayer. 


WORK  DONE  SQUARELY 
The  longer  on  this  earth  we  live 
And  weigh  the  various  qualities  of  men, 
The  more  we  feel  the  high  stern-featured  beauty 
Of  plain  devotedness  to  duty, 
Steadfast  and  still,  nor  paid  with  mortal  praise, 
But  finding  amplest  recompense 
For  life's  ungarlanded  expense 
In  work  done  squarely  and  unwasted  days. 

— James  Russell  Lowell. 


Alas!  it  is  not  till  time,  with  reckless  hand,  has 
torn  out  half  the  leaves  from  the  Book  of  Human 
Life  to  light  the  fires  of  passion  with  from  day 
to  day,  that  man  begins  to  see  that  the  leaves 
which  remain  are  few  in  number. — Longfellow. 


LITTLE   BOY  BLUE 

C  OME  have  mistakenly  thought  this  delicate 
gem   is    primarily    for   children, — it    is   the 
burst  of  grief  of  a  bereaved  father's  heart. 

Although  children  love  this  beautiful  poem  it 
is  not  a  child's  poem;  it  is  a  father's  poem  about 
a  child.  Its  sweet  and  lofty  sentiment  requires 
a  grown-up  experience  to  appreciate  it  fully. 
Eugene  Field's  tender  heart  was  stricken  with 
grief  over  the  death  of  his  beloved  little  son — a 
grief  intensified  yet  mellowed  and  sweetened 
since  the  angel  song  awakened  the  loved  dreamer. 
With  tender  care,  the  toys  have  been  left  where 
the  tiny  hands  placed  them,  and  they  seem  almost 
a  part  of  the  little  lost  one  as  the  father  stands 
over  them  and  calls  to  mind  the  scenes  in  which 
the  little  prattler  gave  them  life.  Filled  with 
the  tenderness  of  mingled  love  and  sorrow  the 
father's  heart  breathes  forth  this  exquisite  melody 
of  parental  grief, 

LITTLE  BOY  BLUE* 
The  little  toy  dog  is  covered  with  dust. 

But  sturdy  and  staunch  he  stands; 
And  the  little  toy  soldier  is  red  with  rust. 

And  his  musket  moulds  in  his  hands. 

*From  "A  Little  Book  of  Western  Verse;"  copyright,  1889, 
by  Eugene  Field;  published  by  Charles  Scribner's  Sons. 

8 


LITTLE    BOY    BLUE 


Time  was  when  the  little  toy  dog  was  new 

And  the  soldier  was  passing  fair. 
And  that  was  the  time  when  our  Little  Boy  Blue 

Kissed  them  and  put  them  there. 

"Now  don't  you  go  till  I  come,"  he  said, 

"And  don't  you  make  any  noise!" 
So  toddling  off  to  his  trundle-bed 

He  dreamt  of  the  pretty  toys. 
And  as  he  was  dreaming,  an  angel  song 

Awakened  our  Little  Boy  Blue, — 
Oh,  the  years  are  many,  the  years  are  long, 

But  the  little  toy  friends  are  true. 

Ay,  faithful  to  Little  Boy  Blue  they  stand, 

Each  in  the  same  old  place, 
Awaiting  the  touch  of  a  little  hand. 

The  smile  of  a  little  face. 
And   they  wonder,    as   waiting   these   long  years 
through, 

In  the  dust  of  that  little  chair. 
What  has  become  of  our  Little  Boy  Blue, 

Since  he  kissed  them  and  put  them  there. 

— Eugene  Field. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Under  what  circumstances  was  this   poem   written? 

2.  Why  should  the  toys  remain  untouched? 

3.  Who  is  speaking  the  first  lines  of  the  second  stanza? 

4.  In  what  manner  was  he  saying  these  words? 

5.  To  whom  are  the  years  many  and  longt 

6.  What  in  the  father's  heart  leads  him  to  imagine  that  these 

silent  toys  are  waiting  faithfully  for  their  little  master's 
return  ? 


10  STUDIES  IN  READING 

7.  What  comfort  comes  to  the   father   in  the   scenes  and   remi- 

niscences recounted  ? 

8.  What  has  touched  the  heart  of  the  father  so  sympathetically? 

9.  What  infinite  hope  is  suggested  to  the  grief-stricken  father? 
10,  Wherein  lies  the  chief  charm  of  this  little  poem? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Gilder  :  A  Child. 

Field:  The  Lyttel  Boy. 

Riley:  Bereaved.     Leonainie.     The  Lost  Kiss. 

A.  C.  Svvinbukne:  The  Salt  of  the  Eartli. 

Emmon  a.  Brown:  Measuring  the  Baby. 

Lowell:  The  First  Snowfall.    The  Changeling. 

Harry  R.  Smith:  The  Long  Night. 

Frederick  George  Scott:  Van  Elsen. 

Longfellow:  The  Reaper  and  the  Flowers.    The  Children's  Hour. 

Ellen  Howartii:  'Tis  But  a  Little  Faded  Flower. 

Stephen  Henry  Thayer:   The  Waiting  Choir. 

Gerald  Massey:  Christie's  Portrait.    Little  Willie. 

George  Barlow:  The  Dead  Child. 

John  Pierpont:  My  Child. 

William  C.  Bennett:  Baby  Shoes. 

Wordsworth:  Lucy  Gray. 


SWIMMERS  IN  A  SEA 

For  we  are  all,  like  swimmers  in  a  sea. 
Poised  on  the  top  of  a  huge  wave  of  fate. 
Which  hangs  uncertain  to  which  side  to  fall 
And  whether  it  will  heave  us  up  to  land. 
Or  whether  it  will  roll  us  out  to  sea — 
Rack  out  to  sea,  to  the  deep  wave  of  death — 
We  know  not,  and  no  search  will  make  us  know; 
Only  the  event  will  teach  us  in  its  liour. 

— Matthew   Arnold. 


THE  BOYS 

T  TOW  much  of  inspiration  we  owe  to  those 
with  whom  we  come  in  close  personal  con- 
tact I  Sometimes  it  takes  a  long  separation  from 
our  friends  to  give  us  the  proper  appreciation 
and  the  true  estimate  of  the  value  of  their  lives. 
One  of  the  keenest  of  the  pleasures  of  a  college 
man  is  that  of  the  class  reunions  that  occur  after 
the  regular  college  course  has  been  completed. 
Then  notes  are  compared,  successes  and  fail- 
ures are  canvassed,  and  the  value  of  class- 
mates to  themselves  and  to  the  world  is 
estimated.  Most  colleges  base  much  of  their 
prestige  upon  the  record  of  their  alumni. 
Harvard  College  is  no  exception  and  points 
with  much  pride  to  the  Class  of  1829,  of 
which  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  was  a  member. 
He  was  regularly  appointed  class  poet  at  the 
annual  reunions  for  many  years.  On  the  oc- 
casion of  the  thirtieth  anniversary  of  the  gradu- 
ation of  this  class,  he  wrote  the  following  poem. 
Its  quaint  humor,  graceful  style,  and  touching 
pathos  make  it  unique.  Not  less  remarkable  is 
the  work  of  his  classmates  as  enumerated  in  the 
lines. 

11 


12  STUDIES   IN  READING 

THE  BOYS* 

Has  there  any  old  fellow  got  mixed  with  the  boys? 
If  there  has,  take  him  out,  without  making  a  noise. 
Hang  the  Almanac's  cheat  and  the  Catalogue's 

spite! 
Old  Time  is  a  liar!    We're  twenty  to-night! 

We're  twenty!  We're  twenty!  Who  says  we  are 
more? 

He's  tipsy, — young  jackanapes! — Show  him  the 
door! 

"Gray  temples  at  twenty?" — Yes!  white,  if  we 
please; 

Where  the  snow-flakes  fall  thickest  there's  noth- 
ing can  freeze! 

Was  it  snowing  I  spoke  of?    Excuse  the  mistake! 
Look  close, — you  will  see  not  a  sign  of  a  flake! 
We  want  some  new  garlands  for  those  we  have 

shed, — 
And  these  are  white  roses  in  place  of  the  red. 

We've  a  trick,  we  young  fellows,  you  may  have 

been  told. 
Of  talking  (in  public)  as  if  we  were  old: — 
That   boy   we   call   "Doctor,"    and    this   we   call 

"Judge;" 
It's  a  neat  little  fiction, — of  course  it's  all  fudge. 

That  fellow's  the  "Speaker," — the  one  on  the  right; 
"Mr.  Mayor,"  my  young  one,  how  are  you  to-night? 


*Used  by  permission  of,  and  by  special  arrangement  with,  the 
authorized  publishers,  Houghton  Mifflin  Company. 


THE   BOYS  13 


That's  our  "Member  of  Congress,"  we  say  when 

we  chaff; 
There's  the  "Reverend" — what's  his  name? — don't 

make  me  laugh! 

That  boy  with  the  grave  mathematical  look 
Made  believe  he  had  written  a  wonderful  book, 
And  the  Royal  Society  thought  it  was  true! 
So  they  chose  him  right  in;  a  good  joke  it  was  too! 

There's  a  boy,  we  pretend,  with  a  three-decker 

brain. 
That  could  harness  a  team  with  a  logical  chain ; 
When  he  spoke  for  our  manhood  in  syllabled  fire. 
We  called  him  the  "Justice,"  but  now  he's  the 

"Squire." 

And  there  is  a  youngster  of  excellent  pith, — 
Fate  tried  to  conceal  him  by  naming  him  Smith; 
But  he  shouted  a  song  for  the  brave  and  the  free, — 
Just  read  on  his  medal,  "My  country,     ...     of 
thee!" 

You  hear  that  boy  laughing? — You  think  he's  all 

fun; 
But  the  angels  laugh,  too,  at  the  good  he  has  done; 
The  children  laugh  loud  as  they  troop  to  his  call. 
And  the  poor  man  that  knows  him  laughs  loudest 

of  all! 

Yes,  we're  boys, — always  playing  with  tongue  or 
with  pen; 


14  STUDIES   IN  READING 


And  I  sometimes  have  asked,  Shall  we  ever  be 

men? 
Shall  we  always  be  youthful,  and  laughing,  and 

gay* 

Till  the  last  dear  companion  drops  smiling  away? 

Then  here's  to  our  boyhood,  its  gold  and  its  gray ! 
The  stars  of  its  winter,  the  dews  of  its  May! 
And  when  we  have  done  with  our  life-lasting  toys, 
Dear  Father,  take  care  of  thy  children.  The  Boys. 
— Oliver  Wendell  Holmes. 

NOTES 

1.  It  is  comforting  to  know  that  Dr.  Holmes  lived  to  see  the 

sixtieth  anniversary  of  the  graduation  of  his  class,  when 
he  wrote  "After  the  Curfew." 

2.  The  charming  wit  and  grace  suggested  in  this  poem  remained 

with  its  genial   author  until   his   death   in    1894.  He  met 

death  bravely  with  a  smile,  while  carrying  on  a  conversa- 
tion with  his  son. 

3.  The   Royal   Society  is   the  oldest  scientific   society  in  Great 

Britain.  The  function  of  this  society  is  to  encourage  sci- 
entific research  in  every  possible  way.  To  it  is  entrusted 
a  large  sum  each  year  to  be  distributed  as  prizes  to  eminent 
scholars,  who  have  made  some  remarkable  contribution  to 
scientific  knowledge. 

4.  "Judge."     George  T.  Bigolow,  Chief  Justice  of  Massachusetts. 

5.  "Speaker."     Honorable  Francis  B.  Crowninshield,  Speaker  of 

the  ^lassachusetts  House  of  Representatives. 

6.  "Mr.   Mayor."     G.   W.    Richardson,  of   Worcester,   iMassachu- 

setts. 

7.  "Member  of  Congress."     Honorable  George  I^.  Davis. 

8.  "Reverend."     James  Freeman  Clarke. 

9.  "That    boy    with    the    grave    mathematical    look."     Professor 

Benjamin  Peirce. 


THE   BOYS  15 


10.  "Justice,"   "Squire."     B.   R.   Curtis,  a  Justice  of  the  United 

States  Supreme  Court. 

11.  "Smith."     S.  F.  Smith,  author  of  "America." 

12.  Define    as    here    used:       Catalogue,    garlands,    fiction,    fudge, 

logical  chain,  syllabled  fire,  pith. 


EXERCISES 

1.  What  word  should  receive  particular  stress  in  the  first  line? 

2.  What  is  meant  by  "the  Catalogue's  spite"  ?     By  "the  Alma- 

nac's cheat"? 
,3.  About  how  old  was  the  youngest  man  there  that  night? 

4.  Where  does  the  first  bit  of  seriousness  creep  in  ? 

5.  What  does  he  mean  by  "Where  the  snow-flakes  fall  thickest," 

etc.  ? 

6.  Why  were  garlands  awarded  in  competitions? 

7.  Was  it  really  "a  neat  little  fiction"? 

8.  What  does  the  author's  witty  nonsense  as  to  the  pretense  of 

calling  these  men  by  dignified  titles,  make  more  noticeable? 

9.  What  do  you  understand  that  the  laughing  boy  had  done? 

10.  How  does  it  seem  to  you  that  men  differ  from  boys? 

11.  What  does  he  hint  is  his  wish  as  to  their  becoming  men? 

12.  What  does  he  mean  by  "its  gold  and  its  gray"? 

13.  By  "our  life-lasting  toys"? 

14.  Describe  the  feeling  you  think  this  poem  must  have  created 

when  it  was  read  by  the  author. 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Holmes:     The  Last  Leaf.     After  the  Curfew. 
Beeciier:     The  Memory  of  Our  Fathers. 
B.  F.  Taylor:     The  Isle  of  Long  Ago. 
Tennyson:     Break,  Break,  Break. 
Mrs.  E.  a.  Allen:     Rock  Me  to  Sleep. 
D.  G.  Mitchell:     Dream  Life. 
Moore:     The  Light  of  Other  Days. 
Ix)ngfellow:     The  Old  Clock  on  the  Stairs. 
Whittier:     The  Barefoot  Boy. 
Twenty  Years  Ago. 


THE  BOSTON  TEA  PARTY 

T^HE  following  incident  is  familiar  to  every 
reader  of  the  history  of  the  times  preced- 
ing the  Revolutionary  War.  The  great  Amer- 
ican historian,  Bancroft,  has  told  us  vividly  the 
story  of  one  of  the  early  acts  which  led  to  the 
Revolutionary  War.  The  following  story  ought 
to  be  read  by  every  young  American  who  believes 
in  his  country;  for  in  this  story  he  can  catch  the 
spirit  of  those  patriots  who  deliberately  resisted 
oppression  and  who,  having  put  their  hands  to 
the  plow,  did  not  think  of  looking  back  until 
they  had  established  the  colonies  as  free  and  in- 
dependent states. 

THE  BOSTON  TEA  PARTY 

The  most  celebrated  tea  party  ever  known  was 
that  which  was  held  in  Boston  Harbor  late  one 
evening  in  December,  1773.  There  was  at  that 
time  no  great  nation  of  the  United  States,  as 
there  is  now,  but  between  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and 
the  Allegheny  Mountains  there  were  thirteen 
colonies  which  had  been  founded  by  the  English 
and  some  other  peoples  of  Europe,  and  were  still 
under  the  control  of  the  British  government. 

George  the  Third,  King  of  England,  and  some 

16 


THE   BOSTON   TEA   PARTY  17 

of  his  noblemen  had  done  all  that  they  could  to 
oppress  the  people  of  these  colonies.  They  had 
forbidden  the  colonists  sending  their  own  goods 
to  any  other  country  than  England.  They  would 
not  allow  the  Americans  to  cut  down  pine  trees 
outside  of  enclosed  fields,  or  to  manufacture  iron 
goods.  They  had  tried  in  every  way  to  tax  the 
people  of  this  country,  while  at  the  same  time 
they  would  not  allow  them  to  take  any  part  in 
the  making  of  the  laws  governing  the  colonies. 

At  length  a  tax  was  laid  on  all  tea  sold  to  the 
colonies,  and  several  ships  were  loaded  with  that 
article  and  sent  from  England  to  the  American 
ports  of  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and 
Charleston.  But  the  colonists  did  not  like  to  be 
taxed  in  that  way,  and  everywhere  they  made 
agreement  among  themselves  to  drink  no  more 
tea  until  the  tax  should  be  removed.  Not  being 
represented  in  Parliament,  they  were  unwilling 
to  be  taxed  by  Parliament. 

About  the  first  of  December,  one  of  the  three 
tea  ships  which  had  been  sent  to  Boston  arrived 
and  anchored  in  the  harbor.  A  town-meeting 
was  held  in  the  Old  South  Meeting-house,  at  which 
nearly  five  thousand  persons  were  present.  It 
was  the  largest  assembly  that  had  ever  been 
known  in  Boston.  All  the  people  were  opposed 
to  allowing  the  tea  to  be  landed,  and  by  a  vote 
of  every  one  at  that  great  meeting,  it  was  resolved 
that  it  should  be  sent  back  to  England,  and  that 
no  duty  should  be  paid  on  it. 


18  STUDIES   IN  READING 

The  merchants  to  whom  the  tea  had  been  sent, 
and  who  expected  to  make  some  profit  out  of  it, 
promised  not  to  land  the  cargo,  but  asked  for 
time  to  consider  the  matter  before  sending  the 
ship  back  to  England. 

"Is  it  safe  to  trust  to  the  promises  of  these  men, 
who  by  their  acts  have  already  shown  themselves 
to  be  the  enemies  of  their  country?"  asked  some 
one  in  the  assembly. 

"Let  the  ship  be  guarded  until  the  merchants 
have  had  time  to  make  up  their  minds  and  give 
an  answer,"  said  another. 

"I  will  be  one  of  the  guard,  myself,"  said  John 
Hancock,  "rather  than  that  there  shall  be  none." 

So  it  was  decided  that  a  party  of  twenty-five 
men  should  guard  the  tea  ship  during  the  night, 
and  that  on  no  account  should  the  merchants  post- 
pone their  answer  longer  than  till  the  next 
morning. 

The  next  morning  the  answer  of  the  merchants 
was  brought:  "It  is  entirely  out  of  our  power  to 
send  back  the  tea;  but  we  are  willing  to  store  it 
until  we  shall  receive  further  directions." 

Further  directions  from  whom?  The  Brilisli 
government?  The  wrath  of  the  people  was  now 
aroused,  and  the  great  assembly  resolved  that  it 
would  not  disperse  until  the  matter  should  be 
settled. 

In  the  afternoon  both  the  owner  and  the  master 
of  the  tea  ship  came  forward  and  promised  that 
the   tea  should   return   as  it  had  come,   without 


THE   BOSTON   TEA   PARTY  19 

touching  land  and  without  paying  duty.  The 
owners  of  the  two  other  tea  ships,  which  were 
daily  expected,  made  a  like  promise.  And  thus 
it  was  thought  that  the  whole  trouble  would 
be  ended. 

When  the  expected  tea  ships  arrived,  they  were 
ordered  to  cast  anchor  by  the  side  of  the  first,  so 
that  one  guard  might  serve  for  all;  for  the  people 
did  not  put  entire  confidence  in  the  promises  of 
the  ship-owners;  and,  besides  this,  the  law  would 
not  allow  the  vessels  to  sail  away  from  Boston 
with  the  tea  on  board. 

Another  meeting  was  called,  and  the  owner  of 
the  first  tea  ship  was  persuaded  to  go  to  the 
proper  officers  and  ask  for  a  clearance;  but  these 
officers,  who  owed  their  appointment  to  the  king, 
flatly  refused  to  grant  a  clearance  until  the  cargo 
of  tea  should  be  landed. 

On  the  sixteenth  of  December  seven  thousand 
men  were  present  at  the  town-meeting,  and  every 
one  voted  that  the  tea  should  not  be  landed. 
"Having  put  our  hands  to  the  plough,"  said  one, 
"we  must  not  now  think  of  looking  back."  And 
there  were  many  men  in  that  meeting  who  thought 
that  they  foresaw  in  this  conflict  the  beginning 
of  a  trying  and  most  terrible  struggle  with  the 
British  government. 

It  had  been  dark  for  more  than  an  hour.  The 
church  in  which  the  leaders  of  the  movement 
were  sitting  was  dimly  lighted.  The  owner  of  the 
first  tea  ship  entered  and  announced  that  not  only 


20  STUDIES   IN  HEADING 

the  revenue  officers  but  the  governor  had  refused 
to  allow  his  ship  to  leave  the  harbor.  As  soon  as 
he  had  finished  speaking,  Samuel  Adams  rose 
and  gave  the  word :  "This  meeting  can  do  nothing 
more  to  save  the  country." 

At  that  instant  a  shout  was  heard  on  the  porch. 
A  yell  like  an  Indian  war-whoop  answered  it  from 
the  street,  and  a  body  of  men,  forty  or  fifty  in 
number,  dressed  in  the  garb  of  Mohawk  Indians, 
passed  by  the  door.  Quickly  reaching  the  wharf, 
they  posted  guards  to  prevent  interruption,  went 
on  board  the  three  tea  ships,  and  emptied  three 
hundred  and  forty  chests  of  tea — all  that  could 
be  found — into  the  waters  of  the  bay. 

The  people  around,  as  they  looked  on,  were 
so  still  that  the  noise  of  breaking  open  the  tea 
chests  was  plainly  heard.  "All  things,"  said  John 
Adams,  who  became  afterward  the  second  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  "all  things  were  con- 
ducted with  great  order,  decency,  and  perfect 
submission  to  government."  After  the  work  was 
done,  the  town  became  as  still  and  calm  as  if  it 
had  been  a  holy  day  of  rest.  The  men  from  tin 
country  that  very  night  carried  back  the  great 
news  to  their  villages. 

This  was  one  of  the  first  acts  which  led  to  the 
war  wdth  England  that  gave  this  country  its  inde- 
pendence. Only  a  little  more  than  a  year  after- 
ward, the  first  battle  was  fought  at  Lexington, 
not  far  from  Boston;  and  in  less  than  ten  years 


THE   BOSTON   TEA   PARTY  21 

the  colonies  had  become  free  and  independent 
states. — George  Bancroft, 

NOTES 

1.  Look  up  the  events  immediately  preceding,  and  those  imme- 

diately following,  the  Boston  Tea  Party. 

2.  Be  sure  in  your  reading  to  find  how  this  event  Avas  interpreted 

from  the  English  point  of  view. 

3.  Be  prepared  to  locate  on  any  good  map  the  places  mentioned. 

4.  Look   up  the  meanings  of  the   following  words:       celebrated, 

oppress,  manufacture,  agreement,  guarded,  postponed,  con- 
fidence, represented.  Parliament,  clearance,  wharf,  inter- 
ruption, submission. 

EXERCISES 

\.  Just  when  and  where  did  this  incident  take  place? 

2.  Why  is  this  incident  called  a  "Tea  Party"? 

3.  What  measures  did  England  enforce  against  the  colonies  ? 

4.  Why  did  the  colonies  resist  the  tax  on  tea  ? 

5.  How  did  they  first  attempt  to  avoid  paying  tax  on  tea? 

C.  What  reception  was  given  to  the  first  ship  that  brought  tea  to 
this  country? 

7.  How  anxious  w^as  John  Hancock,  patriot  leader,  to  enforce  the 

desire  of  the  people  ? 

8.  What  answer  did  the  merchants  give  the  colonists? 

9.  What  was  done  with  the  other  two  ships  that  came  into  the 

harbor? 

10.  Why  did  not  the  revenue  officers  permit  the  vessels  to  depart 
without  unloading  the  tea? 

IL  What  unanimous  decision  did  the  town-meeting  of  seven  thou- 
sand men  make  ? 

12.  What  announcement  was  made  by  the  owners  of  the  tea  ships  ? 

13.  What  was  the  real  point  at  issue  in  this  controversy? 

14.  Explain  the  announcement  of  Samuel  Adams. 

15.  Describe  the  "Tea  Party." 

IG.  What  shows  that  this  resistance  was  deliberate  and  definitely 

planned  ? 
17.  What  other  events  figure  with  this  incident  as  causes  of  the 

Revolutionary  War? 


22  STUDIES   IN  READING 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Kipling:    Hymn  Before  Action. 

Hawthorne  :  The  Gray  Champion. 

PiERPONT:   Warren's  Address  at  Bunker  Hill. 

Longfellow:  Paul  Revere's  Ride. 

Patrick  Henry  :  A  Call  to  Arms. 

Earl  of  Mansfield  :   On  the  Right  of  England  to  Tax  America. 

Lord  Chatham:   On  the  Right  of  Taxing  America. 


LIFE 
Life!  I  know  not  what  thou  art, 
But  know  that  thou  and  I  must  part; 
And  when,  or  how,  or  where  we  met, 
I  own  to  me's  a  secret  yet, 
But  this  I  know,  when  thou  art  fled. 
Where'er  they  lay  these  limbs,  this  head. 
No  clod  so  valueless  shall  be 
As  all  that  then  remains  of  me. 

Life!  we've  been  long  together 
Through  pleasant  and  through  cloudy  weather; 
'Tis  hard  to  part  when  friends  are  dear; 
Perhaps  't  will  cost  a  sigh,  a.  tear; 
Then  steal  away,  give  little  warning, 
Choose  thine  own  time; 

Say  not  "Good  night,"  but  in  some  brighter 
clime 
Bid  me  "Good  morning!" 

— Anna  Letitia  Barbauld. 


EXCELSIOR 

T  ONGFELLOW  wrote  Excelsior  at  the  age 
of  thirty-four.  This  poem  was  written  on 
the  back  of  a  note  from  Charles  Sumner  and 
bears  this  explanation  at  the  close:  "Septem- 
ber 28,  1841.  Half  past  3  o'clock,  morning. 
Now  to  bed."  Longfellow  got  the  suggestion 
for  the  poem  from  the  heading  of  a  New  York 
Journal,  bearing  the  seal  of  the  State  of  New 
York, — a  shield  with  a  rising  sun,  and  the  motto 
in  heraldic  Latin,  "Excelsior."  His  imagination 
eagerly  seized  the  suggestion  and  the  striking 
story  of  the  youth  scaling  the  Alpine  heights 
resulted.  Longfellow  declared  that  his  purpose 
in  the  poem  was  "no  more  than  to  display  in  a 
series  of  pictures,  the  life  of  a  man  of  genius, 
resisting  all  temptations,  laying  aside  all  fears, 
heedless  of  all  warnings,  and  pressing  right  on 
to  accomplish  his  purpose."  De  Quincey  de- 
clares that  the  boy  hero  gives  clear  evidence  of 
insanity  in  attempting  to  scale  the  Alps  under 
such  circumstances,  and  that  he  ought  to  have 
been  shut  up  in  an  insane  asylum.  Langtree 
insists    that  the    poem   is    not   true   to   human 

23 


24  STUDIES  IN  READING 

experience.     With   true   insight,    Edgar    Allan 
Poe  says: 

"  It  depicts  the  earnest,  upward  impulse  of  the 
soul — an  impulse  not  to  be  subdued  even  in  Death. 
Despising  danger,  resisting  pleasure,  the  youth, 
bearing  the  banner  inscribed  'Excelsior!'  (higher 
still)  struggles  through  all  difficulties  to  an  Alpine 
summit.  Warned  to  be  content  with  the  eleva- 
tion attained,  his  cry  is  still  'Excelsior!'  There 
is  yet  an  immortal  height  to  be  surmounted — an 
ascent  in  Eternity.  The  poet  holds  in  view  the 
idea  of  never  ending  progress." 

EXCELSIOR 

The  shades  of  night  were  falling  fast. 
As  through  an  Alpine  village  passed 
A  youth,  who  bore,  'mid  snow  and  ice 
A  banner  with  the  strange  device, 
Excelsior! 

His  brow  was  sad;  his  eye  beneath. 
Flashed  like  a  falchion  from  its  sheath. 
And  like   a  silver  clarion   rung 
The  accents  of  that  unknown  tongue. 
Excelsior! 

In  happy  homes  he  saw  the  liglit 
Of  household  fires  gleam  warm  and  bright; 
Above,  the  spectral  glaciers  shone. 
And  from  his  lips  escaped  a  groan. 
Excelsior! 


EXCELSIOR  25 


"Try  not  the  pass!"  the  old  man  said; 
"Dark  lowers  the  tempest  overhead, 
The  roaring  torrent  is  deep  and  wide!" 
And  loud  that  clarion  voice  replied, 
Excelsior ! 

"0  stay,"  the  maiden  said,  "and  rest 
Thy  weary  head  upon  this  breast!" 
A  tear  stood  in  his  bright  blue  eye. 
But  still  he  answered,  with  a  sigh. 
Excelsior ! 

"Beware  the  pine-tree's  withered  branch! 
Beware   the   awful   avalanche!" 
This  was  the  peasant's  last  Good-night, 
A  voice  replied,  far  up  the  height, 
Excelsior! 

At  break  of  day,  as  heavenward 
The  pious  monks  of  Saint  Bernard 
Uttered    the    oft-repeated    prayer, 
A  voice   cried   through   the  startled   air. 
Excelsior! 

A   traveler,  by  the   faithful   hound. 
Half-buried  in  the  snow  was  found. 
Still  grasping  in  his  hand  of  ice 
That  banner  with  the  strange  device. 
Excelsior! 

There  in  the  twilight  cold   and  gray. 
Lifeless,   but  beautiful,   he  lay, 


26  STUDIES   IN  READING 

And  from  the  sky,  serene  and  far, 
A  voice  fell,  like  a  falling  star, 
Excelsior! 
— Henry    Wadsworth   Longfellow. 

EXERCISES 

1.  What  is  sho^vn  of  the  youth  in  that  he  has  already  gained 

the  Alpine  heights? 

2.  How  are  his  determination  and  singleness  of  purpose  shown? 

3.  Just  what  is  the  youth  attempting? 

4.  Will  he  be  satisfied  when  he  reaches  the  mountain  top? 

5.  What  influences  were  strong  against  the  carrying  out  of  his 

purpose  ? 

6.  What  was  the  effect  of  each  of  these  influences? 

7.  What  influence  seemed  strongest  to  deter  him? 

8.  Why  should  he  refuse  to  take  advice?     Explain  fully. 

9.  In  what  sense  did  he   fail  in   his   attempt?     In  what  sense 

did  he  succeed? 

10.  What  is  the  effect  of  the  repetition  of  "Excelsior"  at  the  close 

of  each  stanza? 

11.  What  final  recognition  was  gained  by  this  heroic  struggle? 

12.  Compare    the   truth    of   this    poem    with    that    in   the    dying 

words  of  Rostand's  Cyrano  de  Bergerac:  "What  are  you 
saying?  That  it  is  no  use? — I  know  it!  But  one  does 
not  fight  because  there  is  hope  of  winning!  No!  .  .  . 
No!     .     .     .     It  is  much  finer  to  fight  when  it  is  no  use!" 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Mrs.  Stowe:   St.  Bernard  Hospes. 

Wordsworth:  Michael. 

Holland:  Gradatim. 

Arnold:   Self-Dependence. 

Longfellow:  The  Skeleton  in  Armor. 

Sill:  Opportunity. 

Charles  Mackay:  Tell  Me,  Ye  Winged  Winds. 

Lanier:  Barnacles. 


A  LIFE   LESSON 

^T^HE  voice  of  sympathy  that  soothes  care  and 
^  trouble  renders  a  real  service  to  humanity. 
Riley  is  broad  in  his  sympathy  and  keen  in  his 
insight  into  life,  and  the  following  poem  is 
probably  his  masterpiece  of  sympathy  and  in- 
sight. The  very  first  line  is  aglow  with  warmth 
and  gentleness.  Time  will  soon  heal  childhood's 
troubles.  A  larger  life  of  buoyant  love  will  soon 
crowd  out  school-day  worries.  Even  disap- 
pointed age  is  consoled  by  the  assurance  that 
Heaven  holds  all  for  which  the  soul  sighs. 

In  this  poem  the  author  has  shown  us  the 
world's  attitude  toward  grief.  In  the  first 
stanza,  childhood  is  quieted  with  the  promise  that 
"childish  troubles  will  soon  pass  by."  The  second 
stanza  represents  youth  with  the  assurance  that 
sorrows  shall  vanish  in  approaching  love.  The 
third  stanza  pictures  age  facing  Heaven's  wide- 
open  doors  with  the  promise  of  final  peace  in  the 
fulfilment  of  every  dream  of  the  soul. 

Babes,  youths,  'and  grown-ups  are,  after  all, 
much  the  same,  always  consoled  by  some  sweet 
hope  that  lures  on  to  greater  things, — and  be- 
coming harder  to  guide  and  comfort  as  the  years 
increase. 

27 


1  ^TT^^HHHHHHBMHHHM^^^^^H 

^/^_^^Hh    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H 

Hrt'    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B 

^^^^^^^^l^^^i^^^H 

IH 

Family  Cares— ^.  C.  Baniea 


A  LIFE  LESSON  29 


A  LIFE  LESSON* 

There!  little  girl,  don't  cry! 
They  have  broken  your  doll,  I  know; 

And  your  tea-set  blue. 

And  your  play-house,  too. 
Are  things  of  the  long  ago; 

But  childish  troubles  will  soon  pass  by. — 

There!  little  girl,  don't  cry! 

There!  little  girl,  don't  cry! 
They  have  broken  your  slate,  I  know; 

And   the  glad,  wild  ways 

Of  your  school-girl  days 
Are  things  of  the  long  ago; 

But  life  and  love  will  soon  come  by. — 

There!  little  girl,  don't  cry\ 

There!  little  girl,  don't  cry! 
They  have  broken  your  heart,  I  know; 

And  the  rainbow  gleams 

Of  your  youthful  dreams 
Are  things  of  the  long  ago; 

But  Heaven  holds  all  for  which  you  sigh. — 

There!  little  girl,  don't  cry! 

— James  Whitcomb  Riley. 

EXERCISES 

1.  What  picture  is  given  in  the  first  stanza? 

2.  What  consolation? 

3.  What  period  of  life  is  dealt  with  in  stanza  two? 

4.  Explain  "life  and  love  will  soon  come  by." 

*From    Riley's    Child    Rhymes,    copyright,    1905.      Used    by 
special  permission  of  the  publishers,  The  Bobbs-Merrill  Company. 


30  STUDIES  IN  READING 

5.  Then  what  shall  soothe  the  grief  at  this  time? 

6.  What  next  period   is   interpreted? 

7.  What  consolations  for  grief  in  age? 

8.  What   then   does   Riley   represent  to  be    the  world's   attitude 

toward  grief? 

9.  What   deeper  note   of    consolation    for    suffering   and   grief   is 

sounded  in  this  poem  ? 

ADDITIONAL   READINGS 

Henry  Vaughn:  The  Retreat. 

John  Burroughs:  Waiting. 

Longfellow:  Psalm  of  Life. 

Lowell:   The  First  Snowfall. 

Whittier:   The  Eternal  Goodness.     The  Barefoot  Boy. 

Longfellow:  The   Children.     The    Children's   Hour. 


A  ROSE  TO  THE  LIVING 

A  rose  to  the  living  is  more 

Than  sumptuous  wreaths  to  the  dead; 
In  filling  love's  infinite  store, 
A  rose  to  the  living  is  more. 
If  graciously  given  before 

The  hungering  spirit  is  fled, 
A  rose  to  the  living  is  more 

Than  sumptuous  wreaths  to  the  dead. 

— Nixon  Waterman. 


THE  GREAT  THING 

I  find  the  great  thing  in  this  world  is  not  so 
much  where  we  stand  as  in  what  direction  we  are 
moving;  to  reach  the  port  of  heaven  we  must  sail, 
sometimes  with  the  wind  and  sometimes  against 
it — but  we  must  sail,  and  not  drift,  nor  lie  at 
anchor. — Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  * 


THE    TAPESTRY  WEAVERS 

A  MONG  products  of  the  hands,  no  work  is 
more  attractive  or  more  highly  prized  than 
finely  designed  oriental  tapestries.  Moreover, 
weaving  is  one  of  the  most  primitive  and  most 
fundamental  of  the  handicrafts,  and  in  some 
form  or  other  is  familiar  to  every  one.  The 
poets  of  all  ages  have,  therefore,  readily  seized 
upon  weaving  as  a  symbol  of  life;  for  example: 

"God's  ways  are  dark,  but  soon  or  late 
We  weave  with  colors   all  our  own." 

In  the  following  poem  the  author  has  based  his 
symbol-interpretation  of  life  on  "the  ways  of  the 
tapestry  weavers."  The  finest  quality  of  tap- 
estry was  woven  on  high-warp  vertical  looms. 
The  long  warp  threads  were  hung  on  movable 
cylinder  rollers  supported  by  uprights  of  wood 
or  iron.  The  weaver  worked  at  the  back  of  the 
loom  where  he  first  sketched  the  design  on  the 
warp  threads,  then  with  painstaking  care  wrought 
out  the  woven  design.  The  complete  pattern  in 
colors,  or  cartoon,  as  it  was  called,  was  placed 
above  or  immediately  behind  the  workman  so 
that  he  might  refer  to  it  in  order  to  weave  the 

31 


32 STUDIES  IN  READING 

design  with  perfectly  matched  and  harmoniously 
blended  colors.  If  he  wished  to  see  his  real  work, 
he  had  to  step  to  the  front  of  the  loom,  or  wait 
until  the  web  was  "loosed  and  turned."  The 
poet  has  seen  in  the  patient,  plodding  weaver 
the  symbol  of  every  life,  and  has  drawn  us  into 
sympathy  with  the  exquisite  moral  lesson  to  be 
gleaned. 

The  Catholic  Church  had  this  poem  printed  in 
a  tract  which  was  scattered  far  and  wide  as  a 
powerful  instrument  to  influence  humanity 
toward  the  fulfilment  of  its  highest  visions. 

THE  TAPESTRY  WEAVERS 

Let  us  take  to  our  hearts  a  lesson — no  lesson  can 

braver  be — 
From   the  ways  of  the  tapestry  weavers  on  the 

other  side  of  the  sea. 
Above  their  heads  the  pattern  hangs;  they  study 

it  with  care. 
The  while  their  fingers  deftly  work,  their  eyes  arc 

fastened  there. 
They  tell  this  curious  thing,  besides,  of  the  patient, 

plodding  weaver: 
He  works  on  the  wrong  side  evermore,  l)iit  works 

for  the  right  side  ever. 
It  is  only  when  the  weaving  stops,  and  the  web  is 

loosed  and  turned. 
That  he  sees  his  real  handiwork — that  his  mar- 
velous skill  is  learned. 


THE   TAPESTRY  WEAVERS  33 

Ah!  the  sight  of  its  delicate  beauty,  how  it  pays 

him  for  all  the  cost! 
No  rarer,  daintier  work  than  his  was  ever  done 

by  the  frost. 
Then  the  master  bringeth  him  golden  hire,  and 

giveth  him  praise  as  w^ell; 
And  how  happy  the  heart  of  the  weaver  is  no 

tongue  but  his  own  can  tell. 
The   years   of   man    are    the   looms   of    God,    let 

down  from  the  place  of  the  sun, 
Wherein  we  are  weaving  alway,  till  the  mystic 

web  is  done. 
Weaving  blindly,   but  weaving  surely,    each  for 

himself  his  fate. 
We  may  not  see  how  the  right  side  looks,  we  can 

only  weave  and  wait. 

But,   looking   above  for  the  pattern,   no   weaver 

need  have  fear. 
Only  let  him  look  clear  into  heaven — the  Perfect 

Pattern  is  there. 
If  he  keeps  the  face  of  our  Saviour  forever  and 

always  in  sight. 
His  toil  shall  be  sweeter  than  honey,  his  weaving 

is  sure  to  be  right. 
And  when  his  task  is  ended,  and  the  web  is  turned 

and  shown, 
He  shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  Master.     It  shall  say 

to  him,  "Well  done!" 
And  the  white-winged  angels  of  heaven,  to  bear 

him  thence,  shall  come  down; 
And  God  for  his  wage  shall  give  him,  not  coin, 

but  a  golden  crown. 

— Anson  G.  Chester. 


34  STUDIES  IN  READING 


EXERCISES 

1.  Describe  in  general  the  process  of  tapestry  weaving. 

2.  What  was  the   "pattern"?     Why  did   it  have  to  be   studied 

with  care? 

3.  Explain  "He  works  on  the  wrong  side  evermore,  but  works 

for  the  right  side  ever." 

4.  How  is  the  weaver  paid  for  his  task  ?     What  is  his  best  pay  ? 

5.  Just  what  is  included  in  "all  the  cost"? 

6.  Explain  "looms  of  God,"  "mystic  web." 

7.  What  is  the  "right  side"? 

8.  Why  can  we  not  see  it? 

9.  Why  is  Perfect  Pattern  capitalized? 

10.  Explain  the  meaning  of  "web  is  turned  and  shown." 

11.  Under  what  conditions,  according  to  this  poem,  can  the  life- 

work  of  the  individual  be  a  true  success? 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Millie  Colcobd:  Life's  Weaving. 

Longfellow:  Keramos. 

PoE:   Israfel. 

Thomas  Wade:  The  Net  Braiders. 

S.   W.  DuFFiELD:  Warp  and  Woof. 

John   Francis    O'Donnell:  A   Spinning   Song. 

Alice  C.  McDonnell:  The  Weaving  of  the  Tartan. 

Beth  Day:  The  Blind  Weaver. 


ETERNAL  EQUITIES 

All  the  poised  balances  of  God  would  swerve. 
Did  men  not  get  the  blessings  they  deserve; 
And  all  the  vigorous  scales  of  Fate  would  turn, 
Did  men  not  get  the  punishments  they  earn. 

— Edwin  Markham. 


THE   SOLDIER'S  REPRIEVE 

^T^HE  man  who  governs  a  warring  nation 
carries  a  responsibility  sufficient  to  appal 
the  heart  of  any  one  except  the  most  patriotic 
or  the  most  heedless.  He  is  not  only  bound  to 
care  for  the  well-being  of  those  carrying  his 
standard,  but  he  may  be  called  upon  to  deprive 
them  of  privilege,  comfort,  or  life  itself.  Brutus 
yielded  his  sons  to  such  a  demand  and  thus 
gained  the  approval  of  the  world  of  his  day. 
William  Shakespeare,  centuries  later,  caused  the 
wise  Portia  to  deliver  the  last  word  on  mercy 
in  the  administration  of  justice,  when  she  told 
Shylock : 

"It  becomes 
The  throned  monarch  better  than  his  crown; 
His  sceptre  shows  the  force  of  temporal  power, 
The  attribute  to  awe  and  majesty, 
Wherein  doth  sit  the  dread  and  fear  of  kings; 
But  mercy  is  above  this  sceptred  sway; 
It  is  enthroned  in  the  hearts  of  kings, 
It  is  an  attribute  to  God  himself; 
And  earthly  power  doth  then  show  likest  God's, 
When  mercy  seasons  justice." 

35 


36  STUDIES   IN  READING 

While  Mr.  Lincoln  was  President  of  the 
United  States,  he  used  the  great  power  of  his 
office  to  save  the  life  of  many  a  soldier  whose 
youth,  ignorance,  or  gallantry  aroused  his  pity 
or  admiration.  Much  adverse  criticism  arose 
from  this  habit  of  the  great  martyr  president. 
History  and  posterity,  however,  have  decreed 
this  his  most  lovable  trait,  and  one  wonders  if 
the  memory  of  his  mercy  will  not  outlast  that  of 
all  other  evidences  of  his  genius. 

The  following  simple,  touching  story  gives  a 
true  insight  into  the  nobility  of  purpose  which 
characterized  the  soldiers  on  both  sides  of  the 
tremendous  struggle  of  the  Civil  War.  It 
shows,  too,  how  this  had  its  origin  in  faith  in 
Omnipotence  on  the  part  of  the  parents  at  home. 
This  devotion  and  faith  found  a  ready  response 
in  the  president's  instantly  granting  a  reprieve 
on  his  own  responsibility,  even  though  he  knew 
his  subordinates  would  chafe  under  the  inter- 
ference. Such  nobihty  of  heart  inspires  armed 
legions  to  dare  to  the  uttermost,  and  a  nation 
to  honor  the  true  heroes  in  ways  limited  only  by 
the  powers  of  a  deathless  love. 

"As  one  lamp  lights  another,  nor  grows  less. 
So  nobleness  enkindleth  nobleness." 


THE    SOLDIER'S   REPRIEVE  37 


THE  SOLDIER'S  REPRIEVE 
"I  thought,  Mr.  Allan,  when  I  gave  my  Bennie 
to  his  country,  that  not  a  father  in  all  this  broad 
land  made  so  precious  a  gift — no,  not  one.  The 
dear  boy  only  slept  a  minute,  just  one  little  min- 
ute, at  his  post.  I  know  that  was  all,  for  Bennie 
never  dozed  over  a  duty.  How  prompt  and  reli- 
able he  was!  I  know  he  only  slept  one  little  sec- 
ond;—  he  was  so  young,  and  not  strong,  that  boy  of 
mine !  Why,  he  was  as  tall  as  I,  and  only  eighteen ! 
And  now  they  shoot  him — because  he  was  found 
asleep  when  doing  sentinel  duty.  *Twenty-four 
hours,'  the  telegram  said,  only  twenty-four  hours! 
Where  is  Bennie  now?" 

"We  will  hope  with  his  heavenly  Father,"  said 
Mr.  Allan,  soothingly. 

"Yes,  yes;  let  us  hope.  God  is  very  merciful! 
*I  should  be  ashamed,  father,'  Bennie  said,  *when 
I  am  a  man,  to  think  I  never  used  this  great  right 
arm'  (and  he  held  it  out  so  proudly  before  me) 
*for  my  country,  when  it  needed  it.  Palsy  it,  rather 
than  keep  it  at  the  plow.'  *Go,  then — go,  my  boy,' 
I  said,  'and  God  keep  you!'  God  has  kept  him,  I 
think,  Mr.  Allan !"  And  the  farmer  repeated  these 
last  words  slowly,  as  if  in  spite  of  his  reason  his 
heart  doubted  them. 

"Like  the  apple  of  His  eye,  Mr.  Owen;  doubt  it 
not." 

Little  Blossom  sat  near  them,  listening,  with 
blanched  cheek.     She  had  not  shed  a  tear.    Her 


38  STUDIES   IN  READING 

anxiety  had  been  so  concealed  that  no  one  had 
noticed  it.  She  had  occupied  herself  mechanically 
in  the  household  cares.  Now,  she  answered  a 
gentle  tap  at  the  kitchen  door,  opening  it  to  re- 
ceive a  letter  from  a  neighbor's  hand.  "It  is  from 
him,"  was  all  she  said. 

It  was  like  a  message  from  the  dead !  Mr.  Owen 
took  the  letter,  but  could  not  break  the  envelope  on 
account  of  his  trembling  fingers,  and  held  it  to- 
ward Mr.  Allan,  with  the  helplessness  of  a  child. 
The  minister  opened  it  and  read  as  follows: 

"Dear  Father :  When  this  reaches  you  I  shall  be 
in  eternity.  At  first  it  seemed  awful  to  me;  but  I 
have  thought  about  it  so  much  that  now  it  has  no 
terror.  They  say  they  will  not  bind  me  nor  blind 
me,  but  that  I  may  meet  my  death  like  a  man.  I 
thought,  father,  it  might  have  been  on  the  battle- 
field for  my  country,  and  that,  when  I  fell,  it  would 
be  fighting  gloriously;  but  to  be  shot  down  like  a 
dog  for  nearly  betraying  it — to  die  for  neglect  of 
duty! — 0,  father,  I  wonder  the  very  thought  does 
not  kill  me!  But  I  shall  not  disgrace  you.  I  am 
going  to  write  you  all  about  it;  and  when  I  am 
gone,  you  may  tell  my  comrades.     I  cannot  now. 

"You  know  I  promised  Jimmie  Carr's  mother  I 
would  look  after  her  boy;  and,  when  he  fell  sick, 
I  did  all  I  could  for  him.  He  was  not  strong  when 
ordered  back  into  the  ranks,  and  the  day  before 
that  night  I  carried  all  his  luggage,  besides  my 
own,  on  our  march.  Toward  night  we  went  in  on 
double-quick,   and  though  the  luggage  began  to 


THE    SOLDIER'S   REPRIEVE  39 

feel  very  heavy,  everybody  else  v^as  tired,  too.  And 
as  for  Jimmie,  if  I  had  not  lent  him  an  arm  now 
and  then,  he  would  have  dropped  by  the  way.  I 
was  all  tired  out  when  w^e  went  into  camp,  and 
then  it  was  Jimmie's  turn  to  be  sentry,  and  I  would 
take  his  place;  but  I  was  too  tired,  father.  I  could 
not  have  kept  awake  if  a  gun  had  been  pointed  at 
my  head;  but  I  did  not  know  it  until — well — until 
it  was  too  late." 

"God  be  thanked!"  interrupted  Mr.  Owen.  "I 
knew  Bennie  was  not  the  boy  to  sleep  carelessly 
at  his  post." 

"They  tell  me,  to-day,  that  I  have  a  short  re- 
prieve— 'time  to  write  to  you,'  our  good  Colonel 
says.  Forgive  him,  father;  he  only  does  his  duty; 
he  would  gladly  save  me  if  he  could.  And  do  not 
lay  my  death  against  Jimmie.  The  poor  boy  is 
heart-broken,  and  does  nothing  but  beg  and  en- 
treat them  to  let  him  die  in  my  place. 

"I  can't  bear  to  think  of  mother  and  Blossom. 
Comfort  them,  father !  Tell  them  I  die  as  a  brave 
boy  should,  and  that,  when  the  war  is  over,  they 
will  not  be  ashamed  of  me,  as  they  must  be  now. 
God  help  me;  it  is  very  hard  to  bear!  Good-by, 
father,  God  seems  near  and  dear  to  me;  not  at  all 
as  if  he  wished  me  to  perish  forever,  but  as  if  he 
felt  sorry  for  his  poor,  sinful,  broken-hearted 
child,  and  would  take  me  to  be  with  him  and  my 
Saviour  in  a  better  life." 

A  deep  sigh  burst  from  Mr.  Owen's  heart. 
"Amen,"  he  said,  solemnly,  "amen." 


40  STUDIES   IN  READING 

"To-night,  in  the  early  twilight,  I  shall  see  the 
cows  all  coming  home  from  the  pasture,  and 
precious  little  Blossom  standing  on  the  back  stoop, 
waiting  for  me;  but  I  shall  never,  never  come! 
God  bless  you  all !    Forgive  your  poor  Bennie !" 

Late  that  night  the  door  of  the  "back  stoop" 
opened  softly  and  a  little  figure  glided  out  and 
down  the  footpath  that  leads  to  the  road  by  the 
mill.  She  seemed  rather  flying  than  walking,  turn- 
ing her  head  neither  to  the  right  nor  left,  looking 
only  now  and  then  to  heaven,  and  folding  her 
hands  as  if  in  prayer.  Two  hours  later  the  same 
young  girl  stood  at  the  Mill  depot,  watching  the 
coming  of  the  night  train;  and  the  conductor,  as 
he  reached  down  to  lift  her  into  the  car,  wondered 
at  the  tear-stained  face  that  was  upturned  toward 
the  dim  lantern  he  held  in  his  hand.  A  few  ques- 
tions and  ready  answers  told  him  all;  and  no 
father  could  have  cared  more  tenderly  for  his  only 
child,  than  he  for  our  little  Blossom.  She  was  on 
her  way  to  Washington,  to  ask  President  Lincoln 
for  her  brother's  life.  She  had  stolen  away,  leav- 
ing only  a  note  to  tell  them  where  and  why  she 
had  gone.  She  had  brought  Bennie's  letter  with 
her;  no  good,  kind  heart,  like  the  President's,  could 
refuse  to  be  melted  by  it.  The  next  morning  they 
reached  New  York,  and  the  conductor  hurried  her 
on  to  Washington.  Every  minute,  now,  might  be 
the  means  of  saving  her  brother's  life.  And  so,  in 
an  incredibly  short  time.  Blossom  reached  the 
Capital  and  hastened  to  the  White  House.    The 


THE    SOLDIER'S   REPRIEVE  41 

President  had  just  seated  himself  to  his  morning 
task  of  overlooking  and  signing  important  papers, 
when  without  one  word  of  announcement  the  door 
softly  opened,  and  Blossom,  with  down-cast  eyes 
and  folded  hands,  stood  before  him. 

"Well,  my  child,"  he  said,  in  his  pleasant,  cheer- 
ful tones,  "What  do  you  want  so  bright  and  early 
this  morning?" 

"Bennie's  life,  please,  sir,"  faltered  Blossom. 

"Bennie!    Who  is  Bennie?" 

"My  brother,  sir.  They  are  going  to  shoot  him 
for  sleeping  at  his  post." 

"0,  yes;"  and  Mr.  Lincoln  ran  his  eye  over  the 
papers  before  him.  "I  remember.  It  was  a  fatal 
sleep.  You  see,  my  child,  it  was  a  time  of  special 
danger.  Thousands  of  lives  might  have  been  lost 
by  his  culpable  negligence." 

"So  my  father  said,"  replied  Blossom,  gravely. 
"But  poor  Bennie  was  so  tired,  sir,  and  Jimmie 
so  weak.  He  did  the  work  of  two,  sir,  and  it  was 
Jimmie's  night,  not  his;  but  Jimmie  was  too  tired, 
and  Bennie  never  thought  about  himself,  that  he 
was  tired,  too." 

"What  is  this  you  say,  child?  Come  here;  I  do 
not  understand."  And  the  kind  man  caught 
eagerly  as  ever  at  what  seemed  to  be  a  justifica- 
tion of  the  offense. 

Blossom  went  to  him;  he  put  his  hand  tenderly 
on  her  shoulder  and  turned  up  the  pale  face  to- 
ward him.  How  tall  he  seemed !  And  he  was  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  too !    A  dim  thought 


42 STUDIES   IN  READING 

of  this  kind  passed  for  a  minute  through  Blossom's 
mind;  but  she  told  her  simple,  straightforward 
story,  and  handed  Mr.  Lincoln  Bennie's  letter  to 
read. 

He  read  it  carefully;  then,  taking  up  his  pen, 
wrote  a  few  hasty  lines  and  rang  his  bell. 

Blossom  heard  this  order  given:  "Send  this  dis- 
patch at  once." 

The  President  then  turned  to  the  girl,  and  said : 
"Go  home,  my  child,  and  tell  that  father  of  yours, 
who  could  approve  his  country's  sentence  even 
when  it  took  the  life  of  a  child  like  that,  that 
Abraham  Lincoln  thinks  the  life  far  too  precious 
to  be  lost.  Go  back,  or — wait  until  to-morrow; 
Bennie  will  need  a  change  after  he  has  so  bravely 
faced  death;  he  shall  go  with  you." 

"God  bless  you,  sir!"  said  Blossom. 

Two  days  after  this  interview,  the  young  soldier 
came  to  the  White  House  with  his  little  sister. 
He  was  called  into  the  President's  private  room, 
and  a  strap  fastened  upon  his  shoulder.  Mr.  Lin- 
coln then  said:  "The  soldier  that  could  carry  a 
sick  comrade's  baggage,  and  die  for  the  act  so  un- 
complainingly, deserves  well  of  his  country."  Then 
Bennie  and  Blossom  took  their  way  to  their  Green 
Mountain  home.  A  crowd  gathered  at  the  Mill 
depot  to  welcome  them  back;  and,  as  Farmer 
Owen's  hand  grasped  that  of  his  boy  tears  flowed 
down  his  cheeks,  and  he  was  heard  to  say 
fervently : 


THE   SOLDIER'S   REPRIEVE  43 

"Just   and   true   are   thy   ways,   Thou  King  of 
saints."—/?.  D.  C.  Rohhins. 

NOTES 

1.  Find  out  all  you  can  of  military  executions.     Determine  the 

significance  of  blindfolding  or  binding  a  condemned  man. 

2.  Explain,  "apple  of  His  eye,"  "occupied  herself  mechanically," 

and  "double-quick." 

3.  Define,  as  used  in  this  study:     palsy,  sentry,  reprieve,  stoop, 

capital,  and  culpable. 

EXERCISES 

1.  If  Mr.  Owen  felt  as  he  says  he  did  in  the  first  few  lines,  how 

did  he  regard  his  country? 

2.  What  kind  of  father  do  you  think  him? 

3.  Name  Bennie's  characteristics  as  his  father  gave  them. 

4.  Why  should  Mr.  Owen  say,  "He  was  as  tall  as  I  and  only 

eighteen"  ? 

5.  What  was  the  substance  of  the  telegram  mentioned? 

6.  When  had  Bennie  said  what  he  did  of  being  ashamed  when  he 

became  a  man? 

7.  Why  had  Blossom  shed  no  tear? 

8.  Why  could  Mr.  Owen  not  read  the  letter? 

9.  Why  had  the  thought  of  death  no  terrors  for  Bennie  now? 

10.  From  his  letter,  what  seems  to  worry  him  most? 

11.  Why  did  Mr.  Owen  interrupt  with  the  words,  "Thank  God"? 

12.  Why  does  Bennie  ask  his  father  to  forgive  him? 

13.  What  caused  the  conductor's  wonder   as  he  helped  Blossom 

on  the  train? 

14.  Why  did  he  care  for  her  so  tenderly  after  he  had  heard  her 

story  ? 

15.  Was  the  task  of  the  President  an  easy  one? 

16.  Would  most  people  have  found  it  possible  to  speak  pleas- 

antly in  case  of  such  an  interruption  at  such  time? 

17.  Was  it  literally  true  that  thousands  of  lives  might  have  been 

lost  through  Bennie's  act? 

18.  Is  the  strict  military  law  concerning  such  oflfenses  unjust? 


44  STUDIES   IN  READING 

19.  What    in    Blossom's    speech    probably    caught    Mr.    Lincoln's 

attention  ? 

20.  Was  Blossom  naturally  timid  or  bold? 

21.  How  do  you  account  for  her  walking  right  up  to  Mr.  Lincoln 

as  she  did? 

22.  What  did  he  probably  write  when  he  had  read  Bennie's  letter  ? 

23.  What  do  you  think  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  judgment  as  to  the  value 

of  Bennie's  life? 

24.  What  made  it  valuable? 

25.  What  was  the  significance  of  putting  a  strap  upon  Bennie's 

shoulder  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Finch  :   Nathan  Hale. 

Whitman-:   O  Captain!     My  Captain! 

Lowell:   Commemoration  Ode. 

Hemans:   Casablanca. 

Sargent:  Regulus  Before  the  Roman  Senate. 

Kellogg:  The  Return  of  Regulus. 

Robert  Emmet's  Speech. 

Rose  Hardwick  Thorpe:  The  Soldier's  Reprieve. 

Browning:  The  Patriot.  Incident  of  a  French  Camp. 

Gilder:    The  Celestial  Passion. 


ACTION 


Better  to  stem  with  heart  and  hand 
The  roaring  tide  of  life,  than  lie 

Unmindful  on  the  glittering  strand 
Of  God's  occasions  floating  by. 

— John  Greenleaf  Whittier, 


SONG  OF  MARION'S   MEN 

^T^HE  author  has  given  us,  in  this  poem,  the 
spirit  of  enthusiasm  for  a  great  leader  as 
that  leader  led  his  men  to  resist  the  British  forces 
during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Francis  Marion,  a  native  of  the  colony  of 
South  Carolina,  came  of  adventurous  French 
stock  and  early  became  an  adventurer  and  Indian 
fighter.  In  1775  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  South  Carolina  Provincial  Congress  which 
adopted  the  Bill  of  Rights  and  voted  money  for 
troops  to  resist  Great  Britain.  He  was  first 
chosen  captain  of  a  company  of  state  troops,  and 
was  rapidly  promoted  to  the  position  of  major, 
then  to  that  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and  finally 
raised  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general.  As  brig- 
adier-general, in  those  dark  days  of  1780  and 
following,  when  the  British  forces  had  ap- 
parently subdued  the  South,  Marion  raised  and 
maintained  a  band  of  patriots.  Beginning  with 
less  than  twenty  trusted  patriots,  he  gathered 
about  him  fearless  riders,  expert  marksmen,  and 
dauntless  adventurers,  who  formed  the  famous 
"Marion's  Brigade." 

The  soldiers  of  the  band  lived  quietly  on  their 

45 


46  STUDIES   IN  READING 


farms  or  rallied  against  the  foe  at  the  word  of 
their  leader.  Sometimes  they  fled  to  the 
swamps  or  forests  and  sallied  forth  from  ambush 
to  put  to  rout  the  surprised  British  soldiers. 
The  British  sent  a  special  detachment  to  capture 
Marion  dead  or  alive.  Colonel  Tarleton  who 
went  with  an  ample  force  to  capture  the  "Out- 
law," returned  after  a  vain  pursuit  and  named 
Marion  the  "Swamp  Fox."  JNIarion's  methods 
were  those  of  the  outlaw  but  he  was  a  true  patriot 
leader.  He  was  a  man  of  attractive  personality, 
slight  figure,  capable  of  great  endurance,  and 
accustomed  to  abstinence.  As  a  leader  he  was 
admired  and  beloved  by  all  who  caught  the 
enthusiasm  of  his  dauntless  spirit. 

This  poem  sets  forth  the  spirit  of  the  heroic 
band,  shows  that  this  spirit  was  a  purely  patriotic 
one,  and  gives  us  the  wild,  free  breath  of  those 
stirring  revolutionary  days. 

SONG  OF  MARION'S  MEN* 
Our  band  is  few,  but  true  and  tried, 

Our  leader  frank  and  bold; 
The  British  soldier  trembles 

When  Marion's  name  is  told. 
Our  fortress  is  the  good  greenwood, 

Our  tent  the  cypress  tree; 
We  know  the  forest  round  us 


♦Reprinted  from  Bryant's  Complete  Poetical  Works,  by  permis- 
sion  of  D.  Appleton  &  Co. 


SONG  OF  MARION'S  MEN  47 


As  seamen  know  the  sea; 
We  know  its  walls  of  thorny  vines. 

Its  glades  of  reedy  grass. 
Its  safe  and  silent  islands 

Within  the  dark  morass. 

Woe  to  the  English  soldiery 

That  little  dread  us  near! 
On  them  shall  light  at  midnight 

A  strange  and  sudden  fear, 
When,  waking  to  their  tents  on  fire. 

They  grasp  their  arms  in  vain. 
And  they  who  stand  to  face  us 

Are  beat  to  earth  again. 
And  they  who  fly  in  terror  deem 

A  mighty  host  behind, 
And  hear  the  tramp  of  thousands 

Upon  the  hollow  wind. 

Then  sweet  the  hour  that  brings  release 

From  danger  and  from  toil; 
We  talk  the  battle  over, 

And  share  the  battle's  spoil. 
The  woodland  rings  with  laugh  and  shout, 

As  if  a  hunt  were  up. 
And  woodland  flowers  are  gathered 

To  crown  the  soldier's  cup. 
With  merry  songs  we  mock  the  wind 

That  in  the  pine-top  grieves, 


48  STUDIES   IN  READING 

And  slumber  long  and  sweetly 
On  beds  of  oaken  leaves. 

Well  knows  the  fair  and  friendly  moon 

The  band  that  Marion  leads — 
The  glitter  of  their  rifles, 

The  scampering  of  their  steeds. 
'Tis  life  to  guide  the  fiery  barb 

Across  the  moonlight  plain; 
'Tis  life  to  feel  the  night-wind 

That  lifts  his  tossing  mane. 
A  moment  in  the  British  camp — 

A  moment — and  away, 
Back  to  the  pathless  forest 

Before  the  peep  of  day. 


Grave  men  there  are  by  broad  Santee — 

Grave  men  with  hoary  hairs; 
Their  hearts  are    all  with  Marion, 

For  Marion  are  their  prayers. 
And  lovely  ladies  greet  our  band 

With  kindliest  welcoming. 
With  smiles  like  those  of  summer, 

And  tears  like  those  of  spring. 
For  them  we  wear  these  trusty  arms, 

And  lay  them  down  no  more 
Till  we  have  driven  the  Briton 

Forever  from  our  shore. 

—William  Culleii  Bryant 


SONG  OF  MARION'S  MEN  49 


NOTES 

1.  Look  up  the  story  of  the  life  of  Marion,     Look  up  also  the  lives 

of  Sumpter,  Pickens,  and  Lee,  who  carried  on  similar  war- 
fare. 

2.  Fiery  harJ).     Fiery  steed.     Barh  is  a  contraction  of  Barbary, 

hence    means    Barbary    horse.     The    Barbary    horses    were 
among  the  choicest  of  the  Arabian  stock. 

3.  The  broad  Santee.      The   principal   river   of   South    Carolina. 

See  map. 

4.  Look  up  carefully  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and  ex- 

pressions:    glades,  reedy  grass,  dark  morass,  release,  spoil, 
grieves,  scampering,  pathless  forest,  grave. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Who  was  Francis  Marion  ? 

2.  Who  is  speaking  as  the  poem  opens? 

3.  Explain  "The  British  soldier  trembles  when  Marion's  name  is 

told." 

4.  W^hat  are  the  tent  and  fortress  of  this  band  ? 

5.  How  intimate  are  these  patriots  with  their  surroundings  ? 

6.  W^here  were  the  "safe  and  silent  islands"? 

7.  What  is  shown  of  Marion's  method  of  fighting? 

8.  What  is  "life"  to  these  men  as  shown  in  stanza  4  ? 

9.  How  is  Marion  regarded  as  a  leader? 

10.  When  only  shall  such  warfare  cease? 

11.  With  what  motive  does  Marion  carry  on  this  warfare? 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Browning  :  An  Incident  of  the  French  Camp.  Herve  Kiel. 
Tennyson  :   Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade. 
Read:  The  Rising  in  1776.  The  Brave  at  Home. 
Holmes:  Lexington. 
Halleck,:  Marco  Bozzaris. 
Longfellow  :  Paul  Revere's  Ride. 
Emerson  :  The  Concord  Hymn. 
W.  G.  Sims  :   The  Swamp  Fox. 


THE  SLEEP 

"fXT'E  so  often  think  lightly  of  the  universal 
privileges  of  mankind  that  many  authors 
have  sought  to  cause  serious  thought  along  these 
lines.  It  is  well  to  read  frequently  those  things 
that  bring  us  to  value  highly  all  that  ministers  to 
the  comfort  and  well-being  of  the  race.  It  has 
come  to  be  a  matter  of  common  remark  that  a 
privilege  is  appreciated  only  as  it  is  about  to  be 
taken  away.  Shakespeare  shows  that  the  guilty 
Macbeth's  great  regret  is  that  he  may  sleep  no 
more.  How  precious  to  him  seems  this  simple 
privilege  when  his  cringing  soul  hears  the 
mysterious  voice  declare  in  his  mad  delirium, 
"Sleep  no  more!  Macbeth  doth  murder  sleep!" 
In  telling  of  this  awful  experience,  he  estimates 
the  value  of  that  which  he  is  about  to  lose,  in  the 
beautiful  words, 

"The  innocent  sleep. 
Sleep  that  knits  up  the  ravell'd  sleeve  of  care. 
The  death  of  each  day's  life,  sore  labour's  bath. 
Balm  of  hurt  minds,  great  nature's  second  course. 
Chief  nourisher  in  life's  feast." 

The    same    thought    is    frequently    repeated 
throughout  the  great  English  bard's  work,  one 

50 


THE    SLEEP 


51 


of  the  most  notable  being  the  famous  soliloquy 
of  the  king  in  King  Henry  IV. 

It  is  small  wonder,  then,  that  other  and  later 
poets  have,  from  time  to  time,  dealt  with  this 


Febuzzi  Madonna 

same  subject.  Elizabeth  Barrett  Browning  was 
a  character  admirably  fitted  to  feel  and  to  ex- 
press in  the  happiest  manner  this  great  thought. 
In  the  following  poem  the  loftiest  form  of  faith 
is  breathed  into  the  same  line  that  pours  forth 


52  STUDIES   IN  READING 

the  tenderest  gratitude  for  the  privilege  so  com- 
monly overlooked.  She  sees  in  it  a  veritable 
thought  of  God  that  should  be  an  ample  reward 
for  all  it  was  hers  to  suffer,  although  she  suffered 
more  than  falls  to  the  ordinary  lot. 

THE  SLEEP 

Of  all  the  thoughts  of  God  that  are 

Borne  inward  unto  the  souls  afar, 

Along  the  Psalmist's  music  deep. 
Now  tell  me  if  that  any  is, 
For  gift  or  grace,  surpassing  this: 

"He  givcth  his  beloved — sleep"? 

What  would  we  give  to  our  beloved? 

The  hero's  heart  to  be  unmoved. 

The  poet's  star-tuned  harp  to  sweep. 
The  patriot's  voice  to  teach  and  rouse. 
The  monarch's  crown  to  light  the  brows? 

He  giveth  his  beloved — sleep. 

What  do  we  give  to  our  beloved? 

A  little  faith  all  undisproved, 

A  little  dust  to  overweep, 

And  bitter  memories  to  make 

The  whole  earth  blasted  for  our  sake: 

He  giveth  his  beloved — sleep. 

"Sleep  soft,  beloved!"  we  sometimes  say. 

Who  have  no  tune  to  charm  away 

Sad  dreams  that  through  the  eyelids  creep: 


THE    SLEEP  53 


But  never  doleful  dream  again 
Shall  break  the  happy  slumber  when 
He  giveth  his  beloved — sleep. 

O  earth,  so  full  of  dreary  noises ! 
O  men,  with  wailing  in  your  voices! 
O  delved  gold,  the  waiter's  heap! 

0  strife,  0  curse,  that  o'er  it  fall! 
God  strikes  a  silence  through  you  all, 

And  giveth  his  beloved — sleep. 

His  dews  drop  mutely  on  the  hill, 

His  cloud  above  it  saileth  still, 

Though  on  its  slope  men  sow  and  reap: 

More  softly  than  the  dew  is  shed. 

Or  cloud  is  floated  overhead, 
He  giveth  his  beloved — sleep. 

A}^  men  may  wonder  while  they  scan 
A  living,  thinking,  feeling  man 
Confirmed  in  such  a  rest  to  keep; 

But  angels  say,  and  through  the  word 

1  think  their  happy  smile  is  heard — 
"He  giveth  his  beloved — sleep." 

For  me,  my  heart  that  erst  did  go 
Most  like  a  tired  child  at  a  show, 
That  sees  through  tears  the  mummers  leap, 
Would  now  its  wearied  vision  close. 
Would  child-like  on  his  love  repose 
Who  giveth  his  beloved — sleep. 


54 STUDIES   IN  READING 

And  friends,  dear  friends,  when  it  shall  be 
That  this  low  breath  is  gone  from  me, 
And  round  my  bier  ye  come  to  weep. 
Let  One,  most  loving  of  you  all. 
Say,  "Not  a  tear  must  o'er  her  fall! 
He  giveth  his  beloved — sleep." 

— Elizabeth  Barrett  Drowning. 

NOTES 

1.  Collect  other  instances  than  those  given  in  the  introduction  to 

show  a  higher  appreciation  of  sleep. 

2.  "He  giveth  His  beloved  sleep." —  Psalm  cxxvii. 

3.  Be  prepared  to  explain  clearly  the  meanings  of  the  following: 

surpassing,  star-tuned  harp,  undisproved,  overweep,  blasted, 
doleful,  wailing,  delv&d  gold,  waller's  heap,  confirmed,  erst, 
wearied  vision. 

EXERCISES 

1.  What  is  the  meaning  of  "afar,"  in  line  2? 

2.  Define  "grace"  as  used  in  line  5. 

3.  Do  we  find  any  answer  to  the  question  in  line  7  ? 

4.  Are  there  any  suggested  answers? 

5.  What  is  the  inference  to  be  drawn  from  line  12? 

6.  Explain  carefully  the  meaning  of,  "A  little  faith  all   undis- 

proved ! " 

7.  How  do  we  give  our  friends,  "A  little  dust  to  overweep"? 

8.  What  do  the  questions  in  the  second  stanza  concern? 

9.  The  statements  in  stanza  3? 

10.  What  is  the  emphatic  word  in  lines  12  and  18? 

11.  What  things  are  compared  in  stanza  4? 

12.  What  are  the  things   calculated  to  do,   which  we   find  men- 

tioned in  stanza  5? 

13.  What  is  told  us  of  God's  power  in  this  stanza  ? 

14.  What  is  done  in  stanza  6? 

15.  What  is  the  central  thought  in  the  first  two  lines  of  stanza  7  ? 

16.  How  do  the  angels  account  for  the  phenomenon? 

17.  What  words  do  they  render  emphatic  ? 


THE   SLEEP  55 


18.  What  characteristic  of  the  author  is  shown  in  stanza  8? 

19.  Why  does  she  leave  her  injunction  to  the  most  loving  of  them 

all? 

20.  Why  does  she  express  such  a  wish  at  all  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Whittieb  :  The  Eternal  Goodness, 

Dickens  :  The  Death  of  Little  Nell.  Death  of  Paul  Dombey. 

Grimm  Brothers:  The  Sleeping  Beauty. 

RossETTi:   Sleep  at  Sea. 

PoE :  A  Dream  Within  a  Dream. 


SERVICE 
All   service  ranks   the  same  with   God: 
If  now,  as  formerly  he  trod 
Paradise,  his  presence  fills 
Our  earth,  each  only  as  God  wills 
Can  work — God's  puppets,  best  and  worst. 
Are  we;  there  is  no  last  nor  first. 

— From  Browning's  **Pippa  Passes." 


LOW  AIM  IS   CRIME 
Life  is  a  leaf  of  paper  white 
Whereon  each  one  of  us  may  write 
His  word  or  .two,  and  then  comes  night; 
Greatly  begin!    Though  thou  hast  time 
But  for  a  line,  be  that  sublime! 
Not  failure,  but  low  aim,  is  crime. 

— Anonymous. 


SWEET  AXD   LOW 

^HIS  sweet  little  "Song  of  the  Mother" 
^  breathes  forth  "all  the  wealth  of  mother- 
love  in  numbers  so  sweet  and  low"  that  one  is 
"carried  back  to  his  infancy,  to  eventide  and  to 
lullabies  from  lips  that  have  long  since  ceased  to 
sing,"  and  to  days  when  a  faithful,  patient 
mother  awaited  a  father's  return  to  home  and 
love.  Great  artists  have  glorified  motherhood 
and  childhood  in  their  "Madonnas,"  but  this 
beautiful  little  song  equally  exalts  fatherhood. 
The  cradle  motion  of  the  song  but  lends  a  further 
touch  of  exquisite  beauty  and  charm. 

When  the  song  is  set  to  appropriate  music,  it 
seems  that  music,  motion,  and  message  blend  into 
the  sweet,  restful  quiet  of  an  evening  prayer. 

SWEET  AND  LOW 

Sweet  and  low,  sweet  and  low, 

Wind  of  the  western  sea. 
Low,  low,  breathe  and  blow. 

Wind  of  the  western  sea! 
Over  the  rolling  waters  go. 
Conic  from  the  dying  moon,  and  blow. 

Blow  him  again  to  me; 
While  my  little  one,  while  my  pretty  one,  sleeps. 

56 


SWEET    AND    LOW  57 

Sleep  and  rest,  sleep  and  rest. 

Father  will  come  to  thee  soon; 
Rest,  rest,  on  mother's  breast, 

Father  will  come  to  thee  soon; 
Father  will  come  to  his  babe  in  the  nest. 
Silver  sails  all  out  of  the  west, 
Under  the  silver  moon : 
Sleep,  my  little  one,  sleep,  my  pretty  one,  sleep. 

— Alfred  Tennyson, 

EXERCISES 

1.  What  tells  the  time  of  day? 

2.  How  is  the  cradle-motion  brought  out  in  the  poem? 

3.  What  vivid  picture  does  this  poem  recall  to  each  of  us? 

4.  What  effect  do  the  first  words  of  the  song  produce  upon  us? 

5.  What  is  the  central  figure  in  this  little  family  group? 

6.  What   passages    prompt   us   to    idealize   motherhood?      What 

works  of  art  suggest  the  same  idea? 

7.  What  passages  equally  exalt  fatherhood? 
8    What  gives  this  little  gem  its  charm  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Field:     Wynken,     Blynken,     and     Nod.     Old    English     Lullaby. 

Norse  Lullaby.     Japanese  Lullaby. 
Scott:   Lullaby  of  an  Infant  Chief. 
Kipling:  Lines  to  the  Seal. 
Rankin:  The   Babie. 
George  MacDonald:  Baby. 
Holland:  Lullaby. 
Riley  :  Slumber  Song. 


THE   DEATH   OF   THE   DAUPHIN* 

'T^HERE  is  something  humorous  in  the  awe 
with  which  ahnost  every  one  views  the  rich 
man  or  the  man  of  lofty  station.  The  world 
recognizes  the  folly  of  empty  titles  or  falsely 
acquired  wealth,  yet  the  world  makes  its  best  bow 
to  the  purse  and  to  the  sceptre.  Notwithstand- 
ing this,  there  is  one  reckoning  that  must  be  made 
in  common  by  millionaire  and  clown;  by  prince 
and  peasant.  When  Death  approaches,  gold,  sta- 
tion, pride,  all  earthly  vanities  appear  in  their 
true  values  and  help  not  at  all  to  ward  off  the 
threatened  stroke.  This  pathetic  little  story  tells 
us  of  the  powerlessness  of  even  the  most  power- 
ful to  resist  death,  and  sets  forth  the  emptiness 
of  titles,  place,  and  authority  in  the  presence  of 
the  Great  Messenger.  The  little  Dauphin' 
is  the  prince  royal  heir  to  the  throne  of 
France.  He  is  guarded  and  cared  for  like  a 
king.  He  has  been  educated  to  succeed  his  father 
as  king.  He  has  been  trained  to  put  his  trust  in 
cannons,  in  swords  and  in  soldiers,  in  titles  and 
in  money.  This  story  tells  the  extent  to  which 
he  can  rely  on  these  things  to  keep  Death  from 
him. 

^Pronounced  dO'fln. 

*From  "Letters  from  my  Mill"  by  Daudet.  Used  by  the  cour- 
teous permission  of  Little,  Brown  &  Company.  Copyright,  1899, 
1900. 

58 


THE  DEATH  OF  THE  DAUPHIN     59 

THE  DEATH  OF  THE  DAUPHIN 

The  little  Dauphin  is  ill;  the  little  Dauphin  is 
dying.  In  all  the  churches  of  the  kingdom  the 
Holy  Sacrament  remains  exposed  night  and  day, 
and  great  tapers  burn,  for  the  recovery  of  the 
royal  child.  The  streets  of  the  old  capital  are  sad 
and  silent,  the  bells  ring  no  more,  the  carriages 
slacken  their  pace.  In  the  neighborhood  of  the 
palace  the  curious  townspeople  gaze  through  the 
railings  upon  the  beadles,  who  converse  in  the 
courts  and  put  on  important  airs. 

All  the  castle  is  in  a  flutter.  Chamberlains  and 
majordomos  run  up  and  down  the  marble  stair- 
ways. The  galleries  are  full  of  pages  and  of  court- 
iers in  silken  apparel,  who  hurry  from  one  group 
to  another,  begging  in  low  tones  for  news.  Upon 
the  wide  perrons^  the  maids  of  honor,  in  tears,  ex- 
change low  courtesies  and  wipe  their  eyes  with 
daintily  embroidered  handkerchiefs. 

A  large  assemblage  of  robed  physicians  has 
gathered  in  the  Orangery.  They  can  be  seen 
through  the  panes  waving  their  black  sleeves  and 
inclining  their  periwigs  with  professional  gestures. 
The  governor  and  the  equerry  of  the  little  Dauphin 
walk  up  and  down  before  the  door  awaiting  the 
decision  of  the  Faculty.  Scullions  pass  by  with- 
out saluting  them.  The  equerry  swears  like  a 
pagan;  the  governor  quotes  verses  from  Horace. 

And  meanwhile,  over  there,  in  the  direction  of 
the  stables,  is  heard  a  long  and  plaintive  neighing; 

^Pronoiincod    por'on. 


60 STUDIES   IN  READING 

it  is  the  little  Dauphin's  sorrel,  forgotten  by  the 
hostlers,  and  calling  sadly  before  his  empty 
manger. 

And  the  King?  Where  is  his  Highness,  the  King? 
The  King  has  locked  himself  up  in  a  room  at  the 
other  end  of  the  castle.  Majesties  do  not  like  to 
be  seen  weeping.  For  the  Queen,  it  is  different. 
Sitting  by  the  bedside  of  the  little  Dauphin,  she 
bows  her  fair  face,  bathed  in  tears,  and  sobs  very 
loudly  before  everybody,  like  a  mere  draper's 
wife. 

On  the  bed  embroidered  with  lace  the  little 
Dauphin,  whiter  than  the  pillows  on  which  he  is 
extended,  lies  with  closed  eyes.  They  think  that 
he  is  asleep;  but  no,  the  little  Dauphin  is  not 
asleep.  He  turns  towards  his  mother,  and  seeing 
her  tears,  he  asks: — 

"Madame  la  Reine,'why  do  you  weep?  Do  you 
really  believe  that  I  am  going  to  die?" 

The  Queen  tries  to  answer.  Sobs  prevent  her 
from  speaking. 

"Do  not  weep,  Madame  la  Reine.  You  forget 
that  I  am  the  Dauphin,  and  that  Dauphins  cannot 
die  thus." 

The  Queen  sobs  more  violently,  and  the  little 
Dauphin  begins  to  feel  frightened. 

"Halloa !"  says  he,  "I  do  not  want  Death  to  come 
and  take  me  away,  and  I  know  how  to  prevent 
him  from  coming  here.  Order  up  on  the  spot 
forty  of  tlie  strongest  lansquenets  to  keep  guard 
around  our  bed!     Have  a  hundred  big  cannons 

^ Pronounced  r6n. 


THE  DEATH  OF  THE  DAUPHIN     61 

watch  day  and  night,  with  lighted  fuses,  under  our 
windows!  And  woe  to  Death  if  he  dares  to  come 
near  us!" 

In  order  to  humor  the  royal  child,  the  Queen 
makes  the  sign.  On  the  spot  the  great  cannons 
are  heard  rolling  in  the  courts,  and  forty  tall 
lansquenets,  with  halberds  in  their  fists,  draw  up 
around  the  room.  They  are  all  veterans,  with 
grizzly  mustaches.  The  little  Dauphin  claps  his 
hands  on  seeing  them.  He  recognizes  one,  and 
calls, — 

"Lorrain!    Lorrain!" 

The  veteran  makes  a  step  towards  the  bed. 

"I  love  you  well,  my  old  Lorrain.  Let  me  see 
your  big  sword.  If  Death  wants  to  fetch  me  you 
will  kill  him,  won't  you?" 

Lorrain  answers:  "Yes,  Monseigneur." 

And  two  great  tears  rolled  down  his  tanned 
cheeks. 

At  that  moment  the  chaplain  approaches  the  lit- 
tle Dauphin,  and  pointing  to  the  crucifix,  talks  to 
him  in  low  tones.  The  little  Dauphin  listens  with 
astonished  air;  then,  suddenly  interrupting  him — 

"I  understand  well  what  you  are  saying.  Mon- 
sieur TAbbe;  but  still,  couldn't  my  little  friend 
Beppo  die  in  my  place,  if  I  gave  him  plenty  of 
money?" 

The  chaplain  continues  to  talk  to  him  in  low 
tones,  and  the  little  Dauphin  looks  more  and  more 
astonished. 


62  STUDIES   IN  READING 

When  the  chaplain  has  finished,  the  little  Dau- 
phin resumes,  with  a  heavy  sigh: — 

"What  you  have  said  is  all  very  sad,  Monsieur 
TAbbe;  but  one  thing  consoles  me,  and  that  is 
that  up  there,  in  the  Paradise  of  the  stars,  I  shall 
still  be  the  Dauphin.  I  know  that  the  good  God 
is  my  cousin,  and  cannot  fail  to  treat  me  according 
to  my  rank." 

Then  he  adds,  turning  toward  his  mother: 

"Bring  me  my  fairest  clothes,  my  doublet  of 
white  ermine,  and  pumps  of  velvet!  I  wish  to 
look  brave  to  the  angels,  and  to  enter  Paradise  in 
the  dress  of  a  Dauphin." 

A  third  time  the  chaplain  bends  over  the  little 
Dauphin,  and  talks  to  him  in  low  tones.  In  the 
midst  of  his  discourse  the  royal  child  interrupts 
him  angrily. 

"Why,  then,"  he  cries,  "to  be  Dauphin  is  nothing 
at  all!" 

And  refusing  to  listen  to  anything  more,  the 
little  Dauphin  turns  toward  the  wall  and  weeps 
bitterly.  — Alphonse  Daudet. 

NOTES 

1.  Dauphin.     Oldest  son  of  the  French  King,  direct  heir  to  the 

French  throne. 

2.  Chamherlain.     An  officer  of  the  court  who  had  the  responsi- 

bility of  guarding  and  caring  for  the  private  chambers  of  a 
prince  or  king. 

3.  Majordomos.     Stewards  or  royal  attendants  in  the  king's  pal- 

ace, masters  of  the  house. 

4.  Perrons.    Landings  or  balconies. 


THE  DEATH  OF  THE  DAUPHIN     63 

5.  Orangery.     A  conservatory  where  orange  trees  and  other  trop- 

ical plants  are  kept. 

6.  The  Faculty.     The  consulting  physicians. 

7.  Equerry.     A  royal  ofRcer  charged  with  the  care  of  the  king's 

horses. 

8.  La  Reine.     The  Queen. 

9.  Monseigneur.     My  Lord. 

10.  L'AJ)h4.    The  Abbot. 

11.  Lansquenets   (lans'-ke-nets).  Foot  soldiers. 

12.  Look   up  the  pronunciation   and   meanings   of   the  following 

words:  Dauphin,  Holy  Sacrament,  tapers,  beadles,  cham- 
berlains, majordomos,  courtiers.  Orangery,  perrons,  equerry, 
the  Faculty,  la  Reine,  lansquenets,  halberds,  doublet,  ermine, 
pumps,  brave,  pagan. 


EXERCISES 

1.  Why  should  the  people  of  the  whole  kingdom  be  so  much  con- 

cerned about  a  single  child? 

2.  What  places  are  mentioned  in  the  first  paragraph  as  affected 

by  the  sad  news? 

3.  What  classes  of  people  show  interest  and  grief  as  shown  in  the 

second  paragraph? 

4.  Are  money  and  trouble  being  spared  in  the  effort  to  save  the 

child? 

5.  Why  should  the  scullions  pass  the  governor  and  equerry  with- 

out saluting  them  ? 

6.  Why  does  the  author  tell  us  of  the  neighing  of  the  horse  ? 

7.  What  is  told  us  in  the  Queen'a  weeping? 

8.  Is  the  Dauphin  serious  when  he  says  he  cannot  die? 

9.  Upon  what  does  the  child  depend  ? 

10.  Why  does  the  chaplain  approach  when  he  does  ? 

11.  What  is  the  substance  of  what  the  chaplain  tells  as  to  Beppo's 

dying  for  him? 

12.  What  does  he  tell  the  Dauphin  when  he  speaks  for  the  third 

time  to  him? 

13.  Why  does  the  child  declare  it  is  nothing  to  be  Dauphin? 

14.  What  error  had  been  made  in  the  little  Dauphin's  training? 


64  STUDIES   IN  READING 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Dickens  :  The  Death  of  Little  Nell.  The  Death  of  Paul  Dombey. 

Browning:  Prospice. 

Tennyson:  Crossing  the  Bar. 

Bbyant:   Thanatopsis. 

WiiiTTiER :  At  Last. 

Emerson:  Terminus. 

Thackeray:  Death  of  Colonel  Neweome. 

Greene  :  The  Baron's  Last  Banquet. 

Hayne:   In  Harbor. 

Longfellow  :   In  the  Harbor.  Victor  and  Vanquished. 

Wordsworth:  Intimations  on  Immortality. 


THE  BLIND  WEAVER 
A  blind  boy  stood  beside  the  loom 

And  wove  a  fabric.    To  and  fro 
Beneath  his  firm  and  steady  touch 

He  made  the  busy  shuttle  go. 

And  oft  the  teacher  passed  that  way 
And  gave  the  colors,  thread  by  thread; 

But  by  the  boy  the  pattern  fair 

Was  all  unseen;  its  hues  were  dead. 

'How  can  you  weave?"  we,  pitying,  cried. 

The  blind  boy  smiled.    "I  do  my  best; 
I  make  the  fabric  firm  and  strong, 

And  one  who  sees  does  all  the  rest." 

Oh,  happy  thought!     Beside  life's  loom 
We  blindly  strive  our  best  to  do; 

And  He  who  marked  the  pattern  out 

And  holds  the  threads  will  make  it  true. 

—Beth  Day. 


DAWN 

TX  this  busy  workada}^  world,  with  its  whir  and 
hurry  and  hum,  we  need  to  have  our  eyes 
opened  to  the  exquisite  beauties  of  God's  out-of- 
doors.  Perhaps  no  bit  of  word  painting  has  ever 
surpassed  that  in  this  famous  extract  from 
Edward  Everett.  The  passage  here  given  is  a 
portion  of  an  address  on  "The  Uses  of 
Astronomy"  dehvered  at  the  inauguration  of  the 
Dudley  Observatory  at  Albany,  New  York. 
Although  Edward  Everett  was  merely  describ- 
ing a  commonplace  journey  taken  by  thousands 
of  travelers  whose  eyes  were  closed  to  such 
exquisite  beauty,  yet  he  saw  in  shifting  cloud  and 
radiant  sunrise  the  power  and  wisdom  and  glory 
of  the  great  Unseen.  With  soul  attuned  to  na- 
ture's loveliness  and  beauty,  and  with  a  heart 
sensitive  to  truth,  he  leads  us  to  see  through  the 
glories  of  nature  the  majesty  and  power  of  na- 
ture's God. 

A  few  years  ago,  a  party  of  care- free  sight- 
seers were  starting  on  this  same  journey  when 
one  of  their  number,  a  gifted  speaker,  recited  the 
first  two  paragraphs  at  the  station  platform.  All 
stopped  their  conversation  to  hear  the  music  of 
his  voice  and  turned  instinctively  to  study  the 

65 


66  STUDIES   IN  READING 

heavens.  As  the  train  sped  through  the  Blue 
Hills  the  party  implored  the  speaker  to  recite  the 
entire  extract  amidst  the  "flash  of  purple  fire" 
of  sunrise,  and  a  deep  quiet  seemed  to  fall  upon 
the  hearts  of  all.  There  was  not  one  who  alighted 
from  the  train  at  Boston  who  was  willing  after 
such  an  experience  to  say,  "There  is  no  God.'^ 

DAWN 

I  had  occasion,  a  few  weeks  since,  to  take  the 
early  train  from  Providence  to  Boston;  and  for 
this  purpose  rose  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
Everything  around  was  wrapped  in  darkness  and 
hushed  in  silence,  broken  only  by  what  seemed  at 
that  hour  the  unearthly  clank  and  rush  of  the 
train.  It  was  a  mild,  serene,  midsummer's  night, 
— the  sky  was  without  a  cloud, — the  winds  were 
whist.  The  moon,  then  in  the  last  quarter,  had 
just  risen,  and  the  stars  shone  with  a  spectral  lus- 
ter but  little  affected  by  her  presence. 

Jupiter,  two  hours  high,  was  the  herald  of  the 
day;  the  Pleiades,  just  above  the  horizon,  shed 
their  sweet  influence  in  the  east;  Lyra  sparkled 
near  the  zenith;  Andromeda  veiled  her  newly 
discovered  glories  from  the  naked  eye  in  the 
south;  the  steady  Pointers,  far  beneath  the  pole, 
looked  meekly  up  from  the  depths  of  the  north  to 
their  sovereign. 

Such  was  the  glorious  spectacle  as  I  entered  the 
train.     As  we  proceeded,  the  timid  approach  of 


DAWN  67 


twilight  became  more  perceptible;  the  intense  blue 
of  the  sky  began  to  soften;  the  smaller  stars,  like 
little  children,  went  first  to  rest;  the  sister-beams 
of  the  Pleiades  soon  melted  together;  but  the 
bright  constellations  of  the  west  and  north  re- 
mained unchanged.  Steadily  the  wondrous  trans- 
figuration went  on.  Hands  of  angels,  hidden  from 
mortal  eyes,  shifted  the  scenery  of  the  heavens; 
the  glories  of  night  dissolved  into  the  glories  of 
the  dawn. 

The  blue  sky  now  turned  more  softly  gray;  the 
great  watch-stars  shut  up  their  holy  eyes ;  the  east 
began  to  kindle.  Faint  streaks  of  purple  soon 
blushed  along  the  sky;  the  whole  celestial  con- 
cave was  filled  with  the  inflowing  tides  of  the 
morning  light,  which  came  pouring  down  from 
above  in  one  great  ocean  of  radiance ;  till  at  length, 
as  we  reached  the  Blue  Hills,  a  flash  of  purple  fire 
blazed  out  from  above  the  horizon,  and  turned  the 
dewy  teardrops  of  flower  and  leaf  into  rubies  and 
diamonds.  In  a  few  seconds,  the  everlasting  gates 
of  the  morning  were  thrown  wide  open,  and  the 
lord  of  day,  arrayed  in  glories  too  severe  for  the 
gaze  of  man,  began  his  state. 

I  do  not  wonder  at  the  superstition  of  the  an- 
cient Magians,  who,  in  the  morning  of  the  world, 
went  up  to  the  hilltops  of  Central  Asia,  and,  igno- 
rant of  the  true  God,  adored  the  most  glorious 
work  of  his  hand.  But  I  am  filled  with  amaze- 
ment, when  I  am  told,  that,  in  this  enlightened  age 
and  in  the  heart  of  the  Christian  world,  there  are 


68  STUDIES   TN  READING 


persons  who  can  witness  this  daily  manifestation 
of  the  power  and  wisdom  of  the  Creator,  and  yet 
say  in  their  hearts,  "There  is  no  God." 

— Edward  Everett, 

NOTES 

1.  Look  up  the  life  of  Edward  Everett. 

2.  Locate  on  any  good  map:     Providence,  Boston. 

3.  Jupiter.     The  largest  planet  in  our  solar  system,  and,  next  to 

Venus,  the  brightest. 

4.  Pleiades    (ple'-yd-dez).     A  group  of  seven  small  stars  in  the 

constellation  of  Taurus.  According  to  a  Greek  myth,  Jupi- 
ter turned  the  seven  daughters  of  Atlas  and  the  nymph 
Pleione  into  a  constellation. 

5.  Lyra    (Il'-ra),    Andromeda    (An-drom'    e-da).     Two    brilliant 

star-groups  in  the  northern  heavens. 
G.  Pointers.     The  two  stars  in  the  Great  Dipper  in  line  with  the 
polar  star. 

7.  Blue  Hills.     A  group  of  picturesque   low  hills  southwest  of 

Boston. 

8.  Magians  {ma.'-]\  an) .     The  Persian  worshipers  of  firo  and  sun 

as  representations  of  Deity. 

9.  Be  prepared  to  give  clearly  the  meaning  of  each  of  the  follow- 

ing expressions  as  here  used:  unearthly  clank,  serene,  whist, 
spectral  luster,  herald,  sovereign,  timid  approach,  percepti- 
ble, sister-beams,  wondrous  transfiguration,  watch-stars,  ce- 
lestial concave,  superstition,  amazement,  enlightened  age, 
manifestation. 

EXERCISES 

1.  On  what  occasion  was  this  address  delivered? 

2.  What  experience  of  the  speaker  is  referred  to? 

3.  What  tells  us  the  mood  of  that  early  morning? 

4.  Trace  clearly  the  steps  by  which  Edward  Everett  pictured  to  us 

this  beautiful  simrise? 

5.  Explain  "turned  the  dewy  teardrops  of  flower  and  leaf  into 

rubies  and  diamonds." 

6.  To  what  is  the  rising  sun  likened? 

7.  Who  were  the  ancient  Magians? 


DAWN  69 


8.  Why  did  not   Everett  wonder  that  these   ancients  worshiped 

the  sun? 

9.  What  most  filled  him  with  amazement? 

10.  What  great  truth  of  life  is  revealed  through  Nature  to  the 
open-hearted  observer? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Everett:   Washington.  Gettysburg  Address. 

RuSKiN :  Modern  Painters. 

Disraeli  :  Description  of  a  Storm. 

Coleridge  :  Ode  to  JSlt.  Blanc. 

Browning  :  The  Year's  at  the  Spring. 

James  Thomson:  Sunrise. 

Wilson  Flagg  :  The  Morning  Oratorio. 

Stevenson:  Morning  Prayer. 

Wordsworth  :   Star-gazers. 

MooRE :   I  Saw  the  Moon  Rise  Clear. 


WHAT  MAKES  A  NATION 
What  makes  a  nation?     Is  it  ships  or  states  or 

flags  or  guns? 
Or  is  it  that  great  common   heart  which  beats 

in  all  her  sons — 
This  makes  a  nation  great  and  strong  and  certain 

to  endure, 
This  subtle  inner  voice  that  thrills   a  man  and 

makes  him  sure; 
Which  makes  him  know  there  is  no  north   or 

south  or  east  or  west, 
But  that  his  land  must  ever  stand  the  bravest 

and  the  best. 

—W.  D.  NesML 


THE   LIGHTS    OF   LONDON   TOWN 

TTE  ART-BROKEN,  worn,  and  weary,  a  man 
and  woman  return  from  the  great  city  to 
their  native  village  in  the  country  districts  of 
England.  They  had  fought  in  vain  against 
penury  and  want,  and,  defeated,  they  now  return 
heartsick  to  the  humble  little  home  whence  as 
mere  lad  and  lassie,  blithe  of  spirit,  they  followed 
the  gleaming  lights  of  London  Town  in  search  of 
fame  and  fortune. 

To  young  people  reared  in  rural  districts  or 
in  small  villages,  the  great  city  has  many  allure- 
ments. The  broad  walks,  finely  paved  streets, 
magnificent  buildings,  brilliant  lights,  fast-mov- 
ing vehicles,  and  surging  multitudes,  enchant  and 
charm.  The  ambitious  country  lad  longs  to  en- 
ter the  mad  current  of  life,  to  make  vast  fortunes, 
and  to  rise  to  places  of  highest  honor,  little 
dreaming  of  the  tireless  struggles,  dire  hardships, 
and,  perchance,  defeats,  in  store.  In  this  poem, 
every  reader  who  has  seen  visions  or  dreamed 
dreams  is  fully  disenchanted.  All  glitter  and 
gloss  is  removed.  Every  young  person  who 
longs  for  life  in  a  great  city  should  read  this 
message  thoughtfully  and  resolve  to  face  stern 
realities  wherever  he  may  seek  to  do  his  life  work. 

70 


THE  LIGHTS   OF  LONDON  TOWN  71 

THE   LIGHTS   OF  LONDON   TOWN 

The  way  was  long  and  weary, 

But  gallantly  they  strode, 
A  country  lad  and  lassie. 

Along   the   heavy   road. 
The  night  was  dark  and  stormy, 

But  blithe  of  heart  were  they. 
For  shining  in  the  distance 

The  Lights  of  London  lay. 
0  gleaming  lamps  of  London  that  gem  the  City's 

crown. 
What  fortunes  lie  within  you,  0  Lights  of  London 
Town. 

The  year  passed  on  and  found  them 

Within  the  mighty  fold. 
The  years  had  brought  them  trouble. 

But  brought  them  little  gold. 
Oft  from  their  garret  window, 

On  long  still  summer  nights. 
They'd  seek  the  far-off  country 

Beyond  the  London  lights. 
O  mocking  lamps  of  London,  what  weary  eyes 

look  down. 
And  mourn  the  day  they  saw  you,  O  Lights  of 
London  Town. 

With  faces  worn  and  weary. 

That  told  of  sorrow's  load. 
One  day  a  man  and  woman 

Crept  down  a  country  road. 


72  STUDIES  IN  READING 

They  sought  their  native  village. 

Heart-broken  from  the  fray; 
Yet  shining  still  behind  them, 
The  Lights  of  London  lay. 
O  cruel  lamps  of  London,  if  tears  3  our  lights  could 

drown, 
Your  victims'  eyes  would  weep  them,  O  Lights  of 
London  Town. 

— George  R.  Sims. 

EXERCISES 

1.  In  what  mood  were  the  man  and  woman  returning  to  their 

native   village? 

2.  Where  had  they  been? 

3.  In  what  mood  did  they  enter  the  great  city? 

4.  What  do  you  think  attracted  them  to  the  city? 

5.  What  were  their  fortunes  in  the  "mighty  fold"? 

0.  What   mood   prompted   them   to   look   yearningly  back   from 
their  garret  window  toward  their  home  village? 

7.  Explain  "mocking  lamps." 

8.  Why  earlier  "gleaming  lamps"? 

9.  Why  afterwards  "cruel   lamps"? 

10.  In    Avhat    sense    were    the    lad    and    lassie    "victims"    to   the 

Lights  of  London  Town? 

11.  What  universal  truth   does  this  poem   contain? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Browning:  Up  at  a  Villa — ^Down  in  the  City. 

Hood:   I  Remember,  I  Remember. 

Felicia  Hemans:  The  Homes  of  England. 

Mrs.  Sherwood:  Carcassone. 

Riley  :  Grigsby  Station. 

Will  Carleton:  The  New  House. 

Robert  Buchanan:  Spring  Song  in  the  City. 

John  Davidson:  London. 

Stevenson:   Farewell   to   the    Farm. 

Evelyn  I'nderiiill:  Uxbridge  Road. 


THE  WONDERFUL  ONE-HOSS  SHAY 

T7EW  poems  of  American  authors  have  made 
people  think  more  and  smile  more  than  has 
this  wonderful  bit  of  humor  of  Holmes.  Oliver 
Wendell  Holmes  was  himself  a  clear,  scholarly 
thinker,  who  wrote  excellent  works  pertaining  to 
his  profession  of  medicine,  but  whose  reputation 
is  especially  secure  in  the  field  of  literature. 
Doctor  Holmes  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege who  was  loved  by  all  his  associates  so  that 
one  of  them  said  of  him,  "He  made  you  think  you 
were  the  best  fellow  in  the  world  and  he  was  the 
next  best."  Although  his  father  was  a  sedate, 
dull,  Congregational  minister,  the  son  was  full 
of  humor,  bright,  clever,  with  that  happy  faculty 
of  teaching  the  truth  while  he  caused  a  ripple 
of  laughter.  The  following  poem  taken  from  the 
charming  "Autocrat  of  the  Breakfast  Table,"  is 
the  cleverly  told  story  of  a  pious  old  deacon  who 
believed  that  the  way  to  keep  a  chaise  from  break- 
ing down  is  to  avoid  having  a  "weak  spot"  and 
hence, 

"Is  only  jest 
T'  make  that  place  uz  strong  uz  the  rest." 

Although  "Logic  is  logic"  and  theories  may  be 

73 


74  STUDIES   IN  READING 

perfect,  work  and  practice  are  carried  on  in  the 
human  way ;  hence  we  are  intensely  interested  in 
the  deacon's  plan  and  its  outcome.  The  humor 
of  the  poem  is  so  rich  and  so  satisfying  that  the 
truth  subtly  and  agreeably  revealed  does  not 
admit  of  serious  argument. 

THE  WONDERFUL  ONE-HOSS  SHAY* 
Have  you  heard  of  the  wonderful  one-hoss  shay. 
That  was  built  in  such  a  logical  way 
It  ran  a  hundred  years  to  a  day, 
And  then  of  a  sudden,  it — ah,  but  stay, 
I'll  tell  you  what  happened  without  delay; 
Scaring  the  parson  into  fits, 
Frightening  people  out  of  their  wits, — 
Have  you  ever  heard  of  that,  I  say? 

Seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-five: 

Georgius  Secundus  was  then  alive, — 

Snuffy  old  drone  from  the  German  hive. 

That  was  the  year  when  Lisbon-town 

Saw  the  earth  open  and  gulp  her  down, 

And  Braddock's  army  was  done  so  brown, 

Left  without  a  scalp  to  its  crown. 

It  was  on  the  terrible  Earthquake  day 

That  the  Deacon  finished  the  one-hoss  shay. 

Now  in  building  of  chaises,  I  tell  you  what. 
There  is  always  somewhere  a  weakest  spot, — 
In  hub,  tire,  felloe,  in  spring  or  thill. 


•Used  by  permission  of,  and  by  special  arrangement  with,  the 
authorized  publishers,  Houghton  Mifflin  Company. 


THE   WONDERFUL  ONE-HOSS   SHAY        75 

In  panel,  or  crossbar,  or  floor,  or  sill. 

In  screw,  bolt,  thoroughbrace, — lurking  still. 

Find  it  somewhere  you  must  and  will, — 

Above  or  below,  or  within  or  without, — 

And  that's  the  reason,  beyond  a  doubt. 

That  a  chaise  breaks  down,  but  doesn't  wear  out. 

But  the  Deacon  swore  (as  Deacons  do. 
With  an  "I  dew  vum,"  or  an  "I  tell  yeou,*') 
He  would  build  one  shay  to  beat  the  taown 
'N'  the  keounty  'n'  all  the  kentry  raoun' ! 
It  should  be  so  built  that  it  could  n*  break  daown; 
— "Fur,"  said  the  Deacon,  "  't's  mighty  plain 
Thut  the  weakes'  place  mus'  stan'  the  strain; 
'N'  the  way  t'  fix  it,  uz  I  maintain. 

Is  only  jest 
T'  make  that  place  uz  strong  uz  the  rest." 

So  the  Deacon  inquired  of  the  village  folk 

Where  he  could  find  the  strongest  oak, 

That  couldn't  be  split  nor  bent  nor  broke, — 

That  was  for  spokes  and  floor  and  sills; 

He  sent  for  lancewood  to  make  the  thills; 

The  crossbars  were  ash,  from  the  straightest  trees; 

The  panels  of  whitewood,  that  cuts  like  cheese, 

But  lasts  like  iron  for  things  like  these; 

The  hubs  of  logs  from  the  "Settler's  ellum,"— 

Last  of  its  timber, — they  couldn't  sell  'em. 

Never  an  axe  had  seen  their  chips. 

And  the  wedges  flew  from  between  their  lips. 


76  STUDIES   IN  READING 

Their  blunt  ends  frizzled  like  celery-tips ; 
Step  and  prop-iron,  bolt  and  screw. 
Spring,  tire,  axle,  and  linchpin  too, 
Steel  of  the  finest,  bright  and  blue; 
Thoroughbrace  bison  skin,  thick   and  wide; 
Boot,  top,  dasher,  from  tough  old  hide 
Found  in  the  pit  when  the  tanner  died. 
That  was  the  way  he  "put  her  through," — 
"There!'*  said  the  Deacon,  "naow  she'll  dew." 

Do!  I  tell  you,  I  rather  guess 

She  was  a  wonder,  and  nothing  less! 

Colts  grew  horses,  beards  turned  gray. 

Deacon  and  deaconess  dropped  away. 

Children  and  grandchildren, — where  were  they? 

But  there  stood  the  stout  old  one-boss  shay 

As  fresh  as  on  Lisbon-earthquake-day! 

Eighteen  hundred! — it  came  and  found 
The  Deacon's  masterpiece  strong  and  sound. 
Eighteen  hundred  increased  by  ten; — 
"Hahnsum  kerridge"  they  called  it  then. 
Eighteen  hundred  and  twenty  came; —  . 
Running  as  usual;  much  the  same. 
Thirty  and  forty  at  last  arrive. 
And  then  came  fifty,  and  fifty-five. 

Little  of  all  we  value  here 
Wakes  on  the  morn  of  its  hundredth  year 
Without  both  feeling  and  looking  queer. 
In  fact,  there's  nothing  that  keeps  its  youth. 


THE  WONDERFUL  ONE-HOSS   SHAY        77 

So  far  as  I  know,  but  a  tree  and  truth. 

(This  is  a  moral  that  runs  at  large; 

Take  it. — You're  welcome. — No  extra  charge.) 

First  of  November, — the  Earthquake  day, — 
There  are  traces  of  age  in  the  one-hoss  shay, 
A  general  flavor  of  mild  decay. 
But  nothing  local,  as  one  may  say. 
There  couldn't  be, — for  the  Deacon's  art 
Had  made  it  so  like  in  every  part 
That  there  wasn't  a  chance  for  one  to  start. 
For  the  wheels  were  just  as  strong  as  the  thills, 
And  the  floor  was  just  as  strong  as  the  sills, 
And  the  panels  just  as  strong  as  the  floor, 
And  the  whipple-tree  neither  less  nor  more, 
And  the  back-crossbar  as  strong  as  the  fore. 
And  spring  and  axle  and  hub  encore. 
And  yet,  as  a  whole,  it  is  past  a  doubt 
In  another  hour  it  will  be  worn  out! 

First  of  November,  'Fifty-five! 
This  morning  the  parson  takes  a  drive. 
Now,  small  boys,  get  out  of  the  way! 
Here  comes  the  wonderful  one-hoss  shay. 
Drawn  by  a  rat-tailed,  ewe-necked  bay. 
"Huddup!"  said  the  parson. — Off  went  theyc 
The  parson  was  working  his  Sunday's  text, — 
Had  got  to  fifthly,  and  stopped  perplexed 
At  what  the — Moses — was  coming  next. 
All  at  once  the  horse  stood  still. 


78  STUDIES   IN  READING 


Close  by  the  meet'n'-house  on  the  hill. 

First  a  shiver,  and  then  a  thrill, 

Then  something  decidedly  like  a  spill, — 

And  the  parson  was  sitting  upon  a  rock, 

At  half-past  nine  by  the  meet'n'-house  clock, — 

Just  the  hour  of  the  Earthquake  shock! 

— What  do  you  think  the  parson  found, 
When  he  got  up  and  stared  around? 
The  poor  old  chaise  in  a  heap  or  mound. 
As  if  it  had  been  to  the  mill  and  ground! 
You  see,  of  course,  if  you're  not  a  dunce. 
How  it  went  to  pieces  all  at  once, — 
All  at  once,  and  nothing  first, — 
Just  as  bubbles  do  when  they  burst. 

End  of  the  wonderful  one-boss  shay. 
Logic  is  logic.    That's  all  I  say. 

— Oliver  Wendell  Holmes. 

NOTES 

1.  Read  Holmes'  "Autocrat  of  the  Breakfast  Table." 

2.  Shay.     Chaise.     Be  prepared  to  name  all.  the  essential  parts  of 

a  chaise  or  carriage. 

3.  Georgius  Secundus.     George  II  of  England,  Avho  was  born  in 

Hanover  and  was  German  in  speech  and  ideas. 

4.  Lisbon-town  saio  the  earth  open.     The  great  Lisbon  earthquake 

occurred  November  1,  1755.     Look  up  a  complete  account  of 

the  disaster. 
6.  Braddock's  army  was  done  so  brown. — A  reference  to  the  defeat 

of  the  British  and  the  death  of  General  Braddock  in  the 

expedition  against  Fort  Duquesne.     (Du  kane. ) 
6.  Swore.     Declared  emphatically.     The  words  in  Yankee  dialect 

following  tell  what  the  Deacon  "swore"  he  would  do. 


THE   WONDERFUL  ONE-HOSS   SHAY       79 

7.  Settler's  ellum.     An  elm-tree  planted  by  the  original  settler  of 

the  town. 

8.  The  pit.     The  pit  in  the  tannery. 

9.  Encore.     Also. 

10.  Working  his  Sunday  text.     Preparing  his  sermon. 

11.  Fifthly.     The  fifth  division  of  his  sermon. 

12.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions  as  here  used:  logical,  snuffy  old  drone,  felloe, 
thill,  thoroughbrace,  laneewood,  crossbars,  linchpin,  boot, 
Deacon's  masterpiece,  flavor  of  mild  decay,  nothing  local, 
whipple-tree. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  something  of  the  author  of  the  poem. 

2.  In  what  spirit  is  the  poem  written? 

3.  With  what  historic  events  is  the  incident  in  the  poem  asso- 

ciated ? 

4.  Upon  what  theory  did  the  Deacon  construct  "The  Wonderful 

One-Hoss  Shay"? 

5.  Explain  in  detail  how  he  worked  out  the  theory. 

6.  What  was  the  result  of  his  w  ork  ? 

7.  What  incidents  are  introduced  to  show  the  wonderful  lasting 

qualities  of  the  "shay"? 

8.  Explain  the  truth  in  the  stanza  beginning  "Little  of  all  we 

value  here." 

9.  What  traces  of  age  at  last  appear? 

10.  Explain  "nothing  local." 

11.  Explain  "There  wasn't  a  chance  for  one  to  start." 

12.  Why  have  the  parson  working  on  his  sermon  when  the  end 

came? 

13.  Explain, 

"All  at  once,  and  nothing  first, — 
Just  as  bubbles  do  when  they  burst." 

14.  To  what  extent  had  the  truth  in  the  Deacon's  theory  kept  its 

youth  ? 

15.  To  what  objection  is  "Logic  is  logic"  the  answer? 

16.  What  truth  is  revealed  so  playfully? 


80  STUDIES   IN  READING 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Holmes:  The  Chamboiod  Nautilus.     The  Voiceless.     Tlie  Old  Man 

Dreams. 
Longfellow:  The  Builders.  Ladder  of  St.  Augustine. 
Holland:  Gradatim. 
Elliott:  The  Builders. 
HuBBABD :  A  Message  to  Garcia. 
Piatt:  The  Gift  of  Empty  Hands. 
Mark  Twain  :  \^Tiitewashing  the  Fence. 
Emerson:  Essays — Self-Reliance.  Intellect. 
Arnold:   Self- Dependence. 
Bacon:  Of  Vicissitude  of  Things. 


PORTIA'S  PLEA 
The  quality  of  mercy  is  not  strain'd, 
It  droppeth  as  the  gentle  rain  from  heaven 
Upon  the  place  beneath:     It  is  twice  blest; 
It  blesseth  him  that  gives,  and  him  that  takes: 
'Tis  mightiest  in  the  mightiest;  it  becomes 
The  throned   monarch  better  than  his  crown; 
His  sceptre  shows  the  force  of  temporal  power. 
The  attribute  to  awe  and  majesty, 
Wherein  doth  sit  the  dread  and  fear  of  kings; 
But  mercy  is  above  this  sceptred  sway; 
It  is  enthroned  in  the  hearts  of  kings, 
It  is  an  attribute  to  God  himself; 
And  earthly  power  doth  then  show  likest  God's 
When  mercy  seasons  justice. 

— William  Shakespeare, 


LEONAINIE 

'^[OTHING  moves  our  hearts  to  grief  like  the 
death  of  a  httle  child.  The  poetry  and 
pathos  of  Dickens'  "Death  of  Little  Nell"  will 
always  touch  the  hearts  of  child-lovers.  The 
great  teacher,  Froebel,  was  right  when  he  said, 
"The  child  is  the  living  witness  of  the  presence 
of  God."  So  when  a  child  dies,  it  seems  that  a 
part  of  heaven  is  gone  from  earth.  No  one  in  our 
day  seemed  to  feel  this  so  keenly  as  did  our 
Hoosier  poet,  James  Whitcomb  Riley.  Although 
he  never  had  children  of  his  own,  Riley  sang 
charming  child-songs.  In  this  exquisite  child- 
poem,  he  has  given  a  grown-up's  interpretation 
of  childhood,  and  has  hinted  that  sorrow  for  the 
death  of  a  child  is  too  deep  for  even  the  consola- 
tion of  prayer. 

The  following  incident  connected  with  the  first 
publication  of  "Leonainie"  and  with  Riley's  rise 
to  favor  with  the  eastern  magazines,  is  of  interest 
to  all.  The  account  is  given  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Iden, 
of  Parsons,  Kansas,  an  enthusiastic  disciple  of 
the  "Hoosier  Poet." 

"James  Whitcomb  Riley,  the  'Hoosier  Poet,' 
while  deservedly  popular  in  his  native  state  and 
throughout  the  West,  was  unable  to  gain  recogni- 

81 


82 


STUDIES   IN  READING 


tion  from  the  eastern  magazines.  He  felt  that  this 
was  an  injustice  to  him,  and  ascribed  it  to  the 
prevailing  eastern  prejudice  against  those  who 
have  had  the  misfortune  to  be  born  west  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains. 


James  VVuitcomb  Kilky 


"Eastern  literary  doors  were  closed,  locked,  and 
bolted  against  him,  and  so  it  came  about  that  he 
resolved  to  capture  by  strategy  that  which  suc- 
cessfully resisted  assault. 


LEONAINIE  83 


"He  secured  an  old  and  well-worn  copy  of  Ains- 
worth's  Latin  Dictionary,  wrote  Edgar  Allan  Poe's 
name  on  one  of  the  fly  leaves,  and  on  the  other 
wrote  the  now  famous  poem,  *Leonainie,'  and 
took  the  book  to  the  editor  of  a  weekly  newspaper 
in  one  of  the  smaller  cities  of  eastern  Indiana. 
He  made  this  editor  acquainted  with  his  plans, 
and  the  next  issue  of  this  Indiana  weekly  con- 
tained an  account  of  the  finding  of  an  old  dic- 
tionary with  Poe's  name  on  one  of  its  fly  leaves 
and  an  unpublished  poem  on  another.  It  was  sug- 
gested editorially  that  it  was  barely  possible  the 
book  had  once  been  the  property  of  Edgar  Allan 
Poe,  and  that  the  poem,  which  was  published  in 
full,  might  prove  to  be  the  work  of  the  famous 
author  of  *The  Raven.' 

"Apparently  by  the  merest  accident,  a  copy  of 
this  paper  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  literary  edi- 
tor of  a  prominent  eastern  magazine,  and  proved 
to  be  a  veritable  literary  bomb-shell.  It  was  her- 
alded as  the  literary  *find'  of  that  generation,  and 
the  Indiana  editor  was  made  the  subject  of  much 
adverse  comment  because  of  the  obtuseness  that 
had  prevented  him  from  recognizing  this  literary 
pearl. 

"During  all  this  time  Riley  and  his  friend,  the 
editor,  maintained  a  discreet  and  misleading  si- 
lence. Letters  began  to  pour  in  upon  the  editor's 
table  from  the  publishers  of  the  leading  maga- 
zines, which  were  ample  evidence  that  the  plan 
was  working  well. 


84  STUDIES   IN  READING 

"After  consultation  with  Riley,  the  editor,  in  a 
subsequent  issue,  gave  out,  through  his  editorial 
columns,  the  facts  connected  with  the  first  publi- 
cation of  'Leonainie.'  The  literary  gods  who 
dwelt  along  the  Atlantic  coast  were  shocked,  sur- 
prised, and  a  bit  angry,  but  it  was  now  too  late. 
The  poem  had  been  extensively  copied  by  both 
American  and  English  reviewers,  and  had  been 
frequently  declared  to  be  not  only  the  genuine 
literary  offspring  of  Poe,  but  one  of  his  best,  if 
not  his  very  best.  In  fact,  after  the  name  of  the 
real  author  was  disclosed,  so  good  an  authority 
as  Edmund  Clarence  Stedman  maintained  with 
considerable  warmth  that  the  poem  was  unques- 
tionably written  by  Poe. 

"Since  that  time  the  'Hoosier  Poet'  has  been 
warmly  welcomed  by  those  who  once  subscribed 
without  reservation  to  the  doctrine  that  no  good 
poem  can  come  from  the  pen  of  a  native  of  the 
uncultured  West." 

LEONAINIE* 

Leonainie — angels  named  her; 

And  they  took  the  light 

Of  the  laughing  stars  and  framed  her 

In  a  smile  of  white; 

And  they  made  her  hair  of  gloomy 

Midnight,  and  her  eyes  of  bloomy 

Moonshine,  and  they  brought  her  to  me 

In  the  solemn  night. 

*From  Armazindy,  by  James  Whitcomb  Riley,  copyright  1804. 
Used  by  special  permission  of  the  publishers,  The  Bobbs-Merrill 
Company. 


LEONAINIE  85 


In  a  solemn  night  of  summer. 

When  my  heart  of  gloom 
Blossomed  up  to  greet  the  comer 
Like  a  rose  in  bloom; 

All  forebodings  that  distressed  me 
I  forgot  as  Joy  caressed  me — 
(Lying  Joy!  that  caught  and  pressed  me 
In  the  arms  of  doom!) 

Only  spake  the  little  lisper 

In  the  Angel- tongue; 
Yet  I,  listening,  heard  her  whisper, — 
"Songs  are  only  sung 

Here  below  that  they  may  grieve  you — 
Tales  but  told  you  to  deceive  you, — 
So  must  Leonainie  leave  you 
While  her  love  is  young." 

Then  God  smiled  and  it  was  morning. 

Matchless  and  supreme 
Heaven's  glory  seemed  adorning 
Earth  with  its  esteem: 

Every  heart  but  mine  seemed  gifted 
With  the  voice  of  prayer,  and  lifted 
Where   my  Leonainie   drifted 
From  me  like  a  dream. 

— James   Whitcomb  Riley. 

NOTES 

1.  Leonainie     ( le' 6-na' ne ) .      Pronounce    the  name   many   times 

until  you  can  appreciate  its  real  music. 

2.  Read  and  re-read  the  entire  poem  with  no  thought  of  analyzing 

it  closely.     See  how  its  meaning  grows  on  you. 


86  STUDIES   IN  READING 

3.  After  you  have  become  well  acquainted  with  the  message  of  the 

poem,  read  and  study  Eugene  Field's  Little  Boy  Blue. 

4.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions  as  here  used :  smile  of  white,  gloomy  midnight, 
bloomy  moonshine,  solemn  night,  blossomed  up,  forebodings, 
caressed,  lying  joy,  arms  of  doom,  lisper.  Angel-tongue, 
matchless,  supreme. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  all  you  can  of  Leonainie  as  shown  in  this  poem. 

2.  Explain  the  meaning  of  the  first  four  lines. 

3.  What  were  the  "forebodings  that  distressed  me"? 

4.  Explain  "Joy  caressed  me." 

5.  Then,  why  say  ''Lying  Joy!"? 

6.  What  was  the  "Angel-tongue"? 

7.  In  what  sense  did  he  hear  her  whisper  the  message? 

8.  Just  what  is  the  message  whispered? 

9.  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  first  line  of  the  last  stanza  ? 

10.  What  tells  us  of  the  nature  of  the  morning? 

1 1 .  What  strong  contrast  in  the  last  stanza  ? 

12.  Why  was  not  the  speaker's  heart  "gifted  with  the  voice  of  prayer"  1 

13.  What  delicate  touch  closes  the  poem? 

14.  What  in  this  poem  shows  Riley's  deep  love  for  children? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Tennyson  :   Sweet  and  Low. 

Field  :  Little  Boy  Blue.  The  Lyttel  Boy. 

PoE:   Ulalume. 

MacDonald:  Baby. 

Rankin  :  The  Babe. 

GiLDEE:  A  Child. 

Riley  :  Bereaved.  The  Lost  Kiss. 

Lowell:  The  Changeling. 

Thayer:  The  Waiting  Choir. 

George  Barlow  :  The  Dead  Child. 

PlERPONT:   My  Child. 

Browning:  Evelyn  Hope. 

Hood:  The  Deathbed. 

Realf:  The  Children. 

Swinburne  :  Mourning.  A  Baby's  Death. 


HOHENLINDEN 

TJOHENLINDEN' means  tall  linden  trees. 
It  is  the  name  of  a  great  forest  in  upper 
Bavaria,  in  the  midst  of  which  stands  the  village 
of  Ilohenlinden. 

The  battle  of  Hohenlinden  referred  to  in  this 
poem  occurred  December  3,  1800,  during  one  of 
Napoleon's  campaigns.  The  battle  was  fought 
between  the  French  under  Moreau"on  the  one 
side,  and  the  Aiistrians  under  Archduke  John 
on  the  other  side.  A  blinding  snow-storm  raged 
during  the  battle  and  covered,  as  a  winding  sheet, 
the  thousands  who  were  slain. 

Charles  A.  Dana  places  this  poem  as  one  of 
the  ten  best  poems  in  the  language,  and  it  is  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  best  of  war  poems.  When  one 
reads  the  history  of  the  stirring  campaigns  of 
Napoleon,  he  can  easily  picture  the  vivid  scenes 
set  forth.  Linden's  hills  of  stained  snow,  the 
waving  banners,  the  fierce  charge  of  the  cavalry, 
and  the  awful  destruction  of  the  fierce  fires  of 
death  are  vivid  pictures  artistically  blended  with 
an  effect  that  thrills  every  heart. 

iPronounced  ho'  en-lin'  den.  ^Pronounced  mo-ro'. 

87 


88  STUDIES   IN  READING 


HOHENLINDEN 
On  Linden,  when  the  sun  was  low, 
All  bloodless  lay  the  untrodden  snow; 
And  dark  as  winter  was  the  flow 
Of  Iser,  rolling  rapidly: 

But  Linden  saw  another  sight, 
When  the  drum  beat  at  dead  of  night, 
Commanding  fires  of  death  to  light 
The  darkness  of  her  scenery. 

By  torch  and  trumpet  fast  arrayed. 
Each  horseman  drew  his  battle  blade. 
And  furious  every  charger  neighed 
To  join  the  dreadful  revelry. 

Then  shook  the  hills  with  thunder  riven; 
Then  rushed  the  steed  to  battle  driven; 
And  louder  than  the  bolts  of  heaven 
Far  flashed  the  red  artillery. 

But  redder  yet  that  light  shall  glow 
On  Linden's  hill  of  stained  snow; 
And  bloodier  yet  the  torrent  flow 
Of  Iser,  rolling  rapidly. 

'Tis  morn;  but  scarce  yon  level  sun 
Can  pierce  the  war  clouds,  rolling  dun. 
Where  furious  Frank  and  fiery  Hun 
Shout  in  their  sulphurous  canopy. 


HOHENLINDEN  89 


The  combat  deepens.     On,  ye  brave. 
Who  rush  to  glory  or  the  grave! 
Wave,  Munich!  all  thy  banners  wave. 
And  charge  with  all  thy  chivalry! 

Few,  few  shall  part  where  many  meet! 
The  snow  shall  be  their  winding-sheet, 
And  every  turf  beneath  their  feet 
Shall  be  a  soldier's  sepulcher. 

— Thomas  Campbell. 

NOTES 

1.  Linden.     Linden  is  an  abbreviated  form  of  Hohenlinden,  the 

name  of  the  forest  where  the  battle  was  fought.     It  is  situ- 
ated between  the  river  Iser  and  the  river  Inn. 

2.  Fires  of  death.     Tlie  vivid  flashes  of  the  artillery. 

3.  War  clouds,  rolling  dun.     The  clouds  of  battle  smoke. 

4.  Sulphurous  canopy.     Another  reference  to  the  smoke  of  battle. 

5.  Frank.     The  French. 

6.  Hun.     The  Austrians. 

7.  Munich.     City  of  Germany  nineteen  miles  east  of  Hohenlinden. 

8.  Chivalry.     Cavalry. 

9.  Winding-sheet.     The  snow  covering  the  dead  bodies  is  spoken 

of  as  if  wrapped  around  them  preparing  them  for  burial. 
10.  Look  up  the  following  words  and  expressions :     untrodden,  fires 
of   death,   scenery,  battle  blade,   neighed,   dreadful   revelry, 
riven,  bolts  of  heaven,  level  sun,  sulphurous,  chivalry,  sepul- 
cher, winding  sheet. 

EXERCISES 

1.  To  what  battle  does  this  poem  refer? 

2.  In  any  good  school  history,  look  up  the  battle  of  Hohenlinden 

and  tell  what  you  can  concerning  the  battle. 

3.  What  tells  us  of  the  condition  of  the  battle-field  before  the 

battle  took  place? 

4.  What  time  was  this  battle  fought? 


90  STUDIES   IN  READING 

—  /■ 

6.  Under  what  conditions  did  the  soldiers  prepare  for  the  fierce 
battle  ? 

6.  Explain  "dreadful  revelry." 

7.  What  tells  us  of  the  fierceness  of  the  battle? 

8.  How  long  did  the  battle  last? 

9.  Between  what  parties  was  it  fought  ? 

10.  From  this  poem,  upon  which  side  do  you  think  the  author's 

sympathies  were? 

11.  With  what  feeling  do  we  leave  the  reading  of  the  poem? 

12.  Why  do  you  think  this  poem  is  regarded  as  a  great  war  poem  ? 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Collin  :  How  Sleep  the  Brave. 

BoKER:  Dirge  for  a  Soldier. 

Scott:  Soldier,  Rest. 

Wilson  :  Such  is  the  Death  the  Soldier  Dies. 

Riley  :  The  Silent  Victors. 

Bybon  :  The  Night  Before  Waterloo.  Destruction  of  Sennacherib. 

Procter  :  The  Overthrow  of  Belshazzar. 

Kipling  :  Hymn  Before  Action. 


A  GOOD  NAME 
Good  name  in  man  and  woman,  dear  my  lord, 
Is  the  immediate  jewel  of  their  souls: 
Who  steals  my  purse  steals  trash;  'tis  something, 

nothing; 
'Twas    mine,    'tis    his,    and    has    heen    slave    to 

thousands; 
But  he  that  filches  from  me  my  good  name 
Robs  me  of  that  which  not  enriches  liim. 
And  makes  me  poor  indeed. 

— William  Shakespeare. 


A  CALL  TO  ARMS 

TN  the  stirring  days  just  preceding  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  the  second  Revolutionary  Con- 
vention of  Virginia  assembled  at  Richmond, 
March  20,  1775.  It  was  evident  that  unless 
Great  Britain  took  immediate  steps  toward  con- 
ciliation, American  colonial  war  was  inevitable. 
Many  of  the  colonies  had  already  taken  steps  to 
raise  troops,  some  of  the  settlements  in  Virginia 
had  done  this  also.  As  yet  Virginia  had  taken 
no  general  action.  None  but  the  boldest  were 
ready  to  admit  that  war  could  not  be  averted. 
Three  days  after  the  first  meeting  of  the  con- 
vention, Patrick  Henry  introduced  three  resolu- 
tions calling  for  the  establishment  of  a  colonial 
militia,  and  for  an  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  put  the  colonies  in  a  state  of  defense.  The 
famous  speech  of  March  23,  1775,  made  in  de- 
fense of  these  resolutions,  is  a  definite  declara- 
tion that  the  time  for  conference  had  passed,  and 
that  war  was  actually  begun. 

A  very  interesting  account  of  the  speech,  re- 
lated by  an  eye-witness,  has  come  down  to  us: 
When  Patrick  Henry  said,  *'Is  life  so  dear,  or 
peace  so  sweet,  as  to  be  purchased  at  the  price  of 
chains  and  slavery?"  he  stood  in  the  attitude  of 


91 


92  STUDIES   TN  READING 

a  condemned  galley-slave  loaded  with  fetters, 
awaiting  his  doom.  His  form  was  bowed,  his 
wrists  were  crossed,  his  manacles  were  almost 
visible,  as  he  stood  the  embodiment  of  helpless- 


Patrick  Henry 

ness  and  agony.  After  a  solemn  pause  he  raised 
his  eyes  and  chained  hands  toward  Heaven,  and 
prayed,  in  words  and  tones  which  thrilled  every 
heart,  "Forbid  it.  Almighty  God."  He  then 
turned  toward  the  timid  loyalists  of  the  House, 


A   CALL   TO   AEMS  93 


who  were  quaking  with  terror;  he  slowly  bent 
his  form  yet  nearer  to  the  earth  and  said,  "I 
know  not  what  course  others  may  take,"  and 
accompanied  the  words  with  his  hands  still 
crossed,  while  he  seemed  to  be  weighed  down  with 
additional  chains.  The  man  appeared  trans- 
formed into  a  suppressed,  heart-broken,  and 
hopeless  felon.  After  remaining  in  this  posture 
of  humiliation  long  enough  to  impress  the 
imagination  with  the  condition  of  the  colonies 
under  the  iron  heel  of  military  despotism,  he 
arose  proudly  to  exclaim,  "but  as  for  me,"  and 
the  words  hissed  through  his  clenched  teeth,  while 
his  body  was  thrown  back,  and  every  muscle  and 
tendon  was  strained  against  the  fetters  which 
bound  him.  With  his  countenance  distorted  by 
agony  and  rage,  he  looked  for  a  moment  like 
Laocoon  in  the  death  struggle  with  coiling  ser- 
pents, then  the  loud,  clear,  triumphant  notes, 
"give  me  liberty,"  electrified  the  assembly.  It 
was  not  a  prayer,  but  a  stern  demand  which 
would  submit  to  no  refusal  or  delay.  Each  syl- 
lable of  the  word  "liberty"  echoed  through  the 
building ;  his  fetters  were  shivered ;  his  arms  were 
hurled  apart;  and  the  links  of  his  chain  were 
scattered  to  the  winds.  When  he  spoke  the  word 
"liberty,"  with  an  emphasis  never  given  it  before, 
his  hands  were  open,  and  his  arms  elevated  and 
extended;  his  countenance  was  radiant;  he  stood 


94  STUDIES   IN  READING 

erect  and  defiant ;  while  the  sound  of  his  voice  and 
the  sublimity  of  his  attitude  made  him  appear  a 
magnificent  incarnation  of  Freedom.  After  a 
momentary  pause,  only  long  enough  to  permit 
the  echo  of  the  word  "liberty"  to  die  away,  he  let 
his  left  hand  fall  powerless  to  his  side,  and 
clenched  his  right  hand  firmly,  as  if  holding  a 
dagger  with  the  point  aimed  at  his  breast;  and 
closed  the  grand  appeal  with  the  solemn  words, 
"or  give  me  death."  And  he  suited  the  action  to 
the  word  by  a  blow  upon  the  left  breast  which 
seemed  to  drive  the  dagger  to  the  patriot's  heart. 
In  spite  of  strong  opposition,  the  resolutions 
were  carried,  and  Virginia  was  raised  to  leader- 
ship in  the  great  Revolutionary  struggle.  The 
speech  of  Patrick  Henry  should  be  known  and 
appreciated  by  every  citizen  of  our  country. 

A  CALL  TO  ARMS 

Mr.  President:  It  is  natural  for  man  to  indulge 
in  the  illusions  of  hope.  We  are  apt  to  shut  our 
eyes  against  a  painful  truth,  and  listen  to  the  song 
of  that  siren  till  she  transforms  us  into  beasts. 
Is  this  the  part  of  wise  men  engaged  in  a  great 
and  arduous  struggle  for  liberty?  Are  we  dis- 
posed to  be  of  the  number  of  those  who,  having 
eyes,  see  not,  and  having  ears,  hear  not,  the  things 
which  so  nearly  concern  their  temporal  salvation? 
For  my  part,  whatever  anguish  of  spirit  it  may 


A   CALL   TO  ARMS  95 

cost,  I  am  willing  to  know  the  whole  truth;  to 
know  the  worst,  and  to  provide  for  it. 

I  have  but  one  lamp  by  which  my  feet  are 
guided,  and  that  is  the  lamp  of  experience.  I 
know  of  no  way  of  judging  of  the  future  but  by 
the  past.  And,  judging  by  the  past,  I  wish  to  know 
what  there  has  been  in  the  conduct  of  the  British 
Ministry  for  the  last  ten  years  to  justify  those 
hopes  with  which  gentlemen  have  been  pleased 
to  solace  themselves  and  the  House?  Is  it  that 
insidious  smile  with  which  our  petition  has  been 
lately  received?  Trust  it  not,  sir;  it  will  prove 
a  snare  to  your  feet.  Suffer  not  yourselves  to  be 
betrayed  with  a  kiss.  Ask  yourselves  how  this 
gracious  reception  of  our  petition  comports  with 
those  warlike  preparations  which  cover  our  waters 
and  darken  our  land.  Are  fleets  and  armies 
necessary  to  a  work  of  love  and  reconciliation? 
Have  we  shown  ourselves  so  unwilling  to  be  recon- 
ciled that  force  must  be  called  in  to  win  back  our 
love?  Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves,  sir.  These 
are  the  implements  of  war  and  subjugation, — the 
last  arguments  to  which  kings  resort.  I  ask  gen- 
tlemen, sir,  what  means  this  martial  array  if  its 
purpose  be  not  to  force  us  to  submission?  Can 
gentlemen  assign  any  other  possible  motive  for  it? 
Has  Great  Britain  any  enemy  in  this  quarter  of 
the  world  to  call  for  all  this  accumulation  of 
navies  and  armies?  No,  sir,  she  has  none.  They 
are  meant  for  us;  they  can  be  meant  for  no  other. 
They  are  sent  over  to  bind  and  rivet  upon  us  those 


96  STUDIES   IN  READING 

chains  which  the  British  Ministry  have  been  so 
long  forging.  And  what  have  we  to  oppose  them  ? 
Shall  we  try  argument?  Sir,  we  have  been  tr>4ng 
that  for  the  last  ten  years.  Have  we  anything  new 
to  offer  upon  the  subject?  Nothing.  We  have 
held  the  subject  up  in  every  light  of  which  it  is 
capable;  but  it  has  been  all  in  vain.  Shall  we 
resort  to  entreaty  and  humble  supplication?  What 
terms  shall  we  find  which  have  not  been  already 
exhausted?  Let  us  not,  I  beseech  you,  sir,  deceive 
ourselves  longer. 

Sir,  we  have  done  everything  that  could  be  done 
to  avert  the  storm  which  is  now  coming  on.  We 
have  petitioned,  we  have  remonstrated,  we  have 
supplicated,  we  have  prostrated  ourselves  before 
the  throne,  and  have  implored  its  interposition  to 
arrest  the  tyrannical  hands  of  the  Ministry  and 
Parliament.  Our  petitions  have  been  slighted; 
our  remonstrances  have  produced  additional  vio- 
lence and  insult;  our  supplications  have  been 
disregarded,  and  we  have  been  spurned  with 
contempt  from  the  foot  of  the  throne.  In  vain, 
after  these  things,  may  we  indulge  the  fond  hope 
of  peace  and  reconciliation.  There  is  no  longer 
any  room  for  hope.  If  we  wish  to  be  free,  if  we 
mean  to  preserve  inviolate  those  inestimable 
privileges  for  which  we  have  been  so  long  con- 
tending, if  we  mean  not  basely  to  abandon  the 
noble  struggle  in  which  we  have  been  so  long 
engaged,  and  which  we  have  pledged  ourselves 


A   CALL   TO  ARMS  97 

never  to  abandon  until  the  glorious  object  of  our 
contest  shall  be  obtained,  we  must  fight!  I 
repeat  it,  sir,  we  must  fight!  An  appeal  to  arms 
and  to  the  God  of  hosts  is  all  that  is  left  us! 

They  tell  us,  sir,  that  we  are  weak — unable  to 
cope  with  so  formidable  an  adversary.  But  when 
shall  we  be  stronger?  Will  it  be  the  next  week, 
or  the  next  year?  Will  it  be  when  we  are  totally 
disarmed,  and  when  a  British  guard  shall  be  sta- 
tioned in  every  house?  Shall  we  gather  strength 
by  irresolution  and  inaction?  Shall  we  acquire 
the  means  of  effectual  resistance  by  lying  supinely 
on  our  backs,  and  hugging  the  delusive  phantom 
of  hope,  until  our  enemies  shall  have  bound  us 
hand  and  foot?  Sir,  we  are  not  weak  if  we  make 
a  proper  use  of  those  means  which  the  God  of 
Nature  hath  placed  in  our  power. 

Three  millions  of  people,  armed  in  the  holy 
cause  of  liberty,  and  in  such  a  country  as  that 
which  we  possess,  are  invincible  by  any  force 
which  our  enemy  can  send  against  us.  Besides, 
sir,  we  shall  not  fight  our  battles  alone.  There  is 
a  just  God  who  presides  over  the  destinies  of 
nations,  and  who  will  raise  up  friends  to  fight 
our  battles  for  us.  The  battle,  sir,  is  not  to  the 
strong  alone;  it  is  to  the  vigilant,  the  active,  the 
brave.  Besides,  sir,  we  have  no  election.  If  we 
were  base  enough  to  desire  it,  it  is  now  too  late 
to  retire  from  the  contest.  There  is  no  retreat  but 
in  submission  and  slavery!  Our  chains  are  forged. 
Their  clanking  may  be  heard  on   the  plains  of 


98  STUDIES   IN  READING 

Boston!    The  war  is  inevitable,  and  let  it  come! 
I  repeat  it,  sir,  let  it  come! 

It  is  in  vain,  sir,  to  extenuate  the  matter.  Gentle- 
men may  cry  peace!  peace!  but  there  is  no  peace. 
The  war  is  actually  begun!  The  next  gale  that 
sweeps  from  the  north  will  bring  to  our  ears  the 
clash  of  resounding  arms!  Our  brethren  are 
already  in  the  field!  Why  stand  we  here  idle? 
What  is  it  that  gentlemen  wish?  What  would 
they  have?  Is  life  so  dear,  or  peace  so  sweet,  as 
to  be  purchased  at  the  price  of  chains  and  slav- 
ery? Forbid  it.  Almighty  God!  I  know  not  what 
course  others  may  take,  but  as  for  me,  give  me 
liberty  or  give  me  death! — Patrick  Henry. 

NOTES 

1.  Look  up  the  story  of  these  times  in  any  good  history. 

2.  Memorize  the  address.     Read  it,  keeping  in  mind  the  manner  in 

which  it  was  delivered. 

3.  Read  any  good,  short  account  of  the  life  of  Patrick  Henry. 

4.  Study  carefully  the  following  words  and  expressions:      illu- 

sions, salvation,  temporal,  siren,  insidious  smile,  subjuga-" 
tion,  martial  array,  petition,  demonstrated,  supplicated, 
inviolate,  estimable,  formidable,  irresolution,  supinely,  de- 
lusive, phantom,  election,  extenuate. 

EXERCISES 

1.  On  what  occasion  was  this  speech  delivered? 

2.  What  spirit  does  the  speaker  show  in  the  first  paragraph? 

3.  How  does  he  think  the  conduct  of  the  British  minister  may  be 

judged? 

4.  Explain  "Suffer  not  yourselves  to  be  betrayed  with  a  kiss." 

5.  What  causes  Great  Britain  to  marshal  armies  and  navies? 

6.  What  have  the  colonies  so  far  done  toward  conciliation? 

7.  What  answer  did  they  get  in  each  case? 


A   CALL   TO  ARMS  99 


8.  What  alternative  only  remains? 

9.  Explain  the  meaning  of  "an  appeal  to  arms  and  to  the  God  of 

hosts." 

10.  Explain  "We  shall  not  fight  our  battles  alone." 

11.  Explain  "We  have  no  election." 

12.  Explain  carefully  the  manner  in  which  the  last  part  of  the 

speech  was  delivered. 

13.  What  do  you  think  makes  this  oration  so  strong? 

14.  What  was  the  final  effect  of  the  oration  throughout  the  colo- 

nies ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Longfellow:  Paul  Revere's  Ride. 

Bryant:   Seventy-six. 

McMasteb  :  The  Old  Continentals. 

Read:   The  Rising  in  1776.  Our  Defenders. 

Emerson:  Conquered. 

Hawthorne:  The  Gray  Champion. 

Webster:   Supposed  Speech  of  John  Adams. 


DARE  TO  DO  RIGHT 
Dare  to  do  right!    Dare  to  be  true! 
You  have  a  work  that  no  other  can  do; 
Do  it  so  bravely,  so  kindly,  so  well. 
Angels  will  hasten  the  story  to  tell. 

Dare  to  do  right!    Dare  to  be  true! 
Other  men's  failures  can  never  save  you; 
Stand   by  your   conscience,   your  honor,   your 

faith; 
Stand  like  a  hero,  and  battle  till  death. 

— George  L.  Taylor, 


MAKE   WAY  FOR  LIBERTY 

I^EXT  to  the  name  of  William  Tell  stands 
that  of  Arnold  von  WinkelriedMn  the  great 
struggle  for  Swiss  liberty.  The  Swiss  people 
were  fighting  to  free  their  country  from  the 
oppressive  rule  of  Austria.  The  well-trained 
Austrian  cavalry  met  those  brave  Swiss  moun- 
taineers in  the  pass  of  Sempach/  July  9,  1386. 
As  the  Austrians  were  unable  to  manage  their 
horses  to  good  advantage  in  the  narrow  pass, 
they  dismounted  and  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder, 
forming  a  human  wall  protected  by  the  bristling 
line  of  spears  pointed  toward  the  Swiss  patriots. 
At  a  certain  moment,  when  the  Swiss  had  re- 
peatedly failed  to  break  the  serried  ranks  of  the 
Austrian  knights,  a  knight  of  Unterwalden,^ 
Arnold  von  Winkelried  by  name,  came  to  the 
rescue.  Consigning  his  wife  and  children  to  the 
care  of  his  comrades,  he  rushed  toward  the  Aus- 
trian line,  and  gathering  a  number  of  their  spears 
against  his  breast,  he  fell  pierced  through  and 
through,  thus  opening  the  way  for  his  patriot- 
comrades  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  The 
Swiss  were  victorious,  the  Austrians  were  driven 
from  the  land,  and  Switzerland  was  free  I 

^Pronounced  vin'  kcl  ret. 
^Pronounced  zCm'  pilk. 
^Pronounced  don'  ter-viil'  den. 

100 


MAKE   WAY   FOK  -LlBERa^i"  UOl 

MAKE  WAY  FOR  LIBERTY 

"Make  way  for  Liberty!"  he  cried; 
Made  way  for  Liberty,  and  died! 

In  arms  the  Austrian  phalanx  stood, 

A  living  wall,  a  human  wood! 

A  wall,  where  every  conscious  stone 

Seemed  to  its  kindred  thousands  grown; 

A  rampart  all  assaults  to  bear. 

Till  time  to  dust  their  frames  shall  wear; 

A  wood  like  that  enchanted  grove. 

In  which,  with  fiends,  Rinaldo  strove. 

Where  every  silent  tree  possessed 

A  spirit  prisoned  in  its  breast. 

Which  the  first  stroke  of  coming  strife 

Would  startle  into  hideous  life: 

So  dense,  so  still,  the  Austrians  stood, 

A  living  wall,  a  human  wood ! 

Impregnable  their  front  appears. 
All  horrent  with  projected  spears, 
Whose  polished  points  before  them  shine. 
From  flank  to  flank,  one  brilliant  line. 
Bright  as  the  breakers'  splendors  run 
Along  the  billows  to  the  sun. 

Opposed  to  these,  a  hovering  band 
Contended  for  their  native  land; 
Peasants,  whose  new-found  strength  had  broke 
From  manly  necks  the  ignoble  yoke. 


Lion  of  Lucerne 

Carved  in  the  face  of  a  cliff  at  Lucerne,  Switzerland,  in  com- 
memoration of  the  heroic  sacrifices  of  the  Swiss  Guards. 


MAKE   WAY  FOR  LIBERTY  103 

And  forged  their  fetters  into  swords. 
On  equal  terms  to  fight  their  lords; 
And  what  insurgent  rage  had  gained. 
In  many  a  mortal  fray  maintained: 
Marshaled  once  more  at  Freedom's  call, 
They  come  to  conquer  or  to  fall, 
Where  he  who  conquered,  he  who  fell. 
Was  deemed  a  dead,  or  living,  Tell! 

And  now  the  work  of  life  and  death 

Hung  on  the  passing  of  a  breath; 

The  fire  of  conflict  burned  within; 

The  battle  trembled  to  begin; 

Yet,  while  the  Austrians  held  their  ground. 

Point  for  attack  was  nowhere  found; 

Where'er  the  impatient  Switzers  gazed. 

The  unbroken  line  of  lances  blazed; 

That  line  't  were  suicide  to  meet. 

And  perish  at  their  tyrant's  feet; 

How  could  they  rest  within  their  graves, 

And  leave  their  homes  the  homes  of  slaves? 

Would  they  not  feel  their  children  tread 

With  clanking  chains  above  their  head? 

It  must  not  be:  this  day,  this  hour. 
Annihilates  the  oppressor's  power; 
All  Switzerland  is  in  the  field. 
She  will  not  fly,  she  cannot  yield; 
She  must  not  fall;  her  better  fate 
Here  gives  her  an  immortal  date. 
Few  were  the  numbers  she  could  boast. 


104  STUDIES   IN  READING 

But  every  freeman  was  a  host. 
And  felt  as  though  himself  were  he 
On  whose  sole  arm  hung  victory. 

It  did  depend  on  one,  indeed: 

Behold  him!  Arnold  Winkelried! 

There  sounds  not  to  the  trump  of  fame 

The  echo  of  a  nobler  name. 

Unmarked  he  stood  amid  the  throng. 

In  rumination  deep  and  long, 

Till  you  might  see,  with  sudden  grace. 

The  very  thought  come  o'er  his  face; 

And  by  the  motion  of  his  form. 

Anticipate  the  bursting  storm; 

And  by  the  uplifting  of  his  brow. 

Tell  where  the  bolt  would  strike,  and  how. 

But  't  was  no  sooner  thought  than  done; 

The  field  was  in  a  moment  won. 

"Make  way  for  Liberty !"  he  cried : 
Then  ran,  with  arms  extended  wide. 
As  if  his  dearest  friend  to  clasp; 
Ten  spears  he  swept  within  his  grasp: 

"Make  way  for  Liberty!"  he  cried. 
Their  keen  points  met  from  side  to  side; 
He  bowed  among  them  like  a  tree. 
And  thus  made  way  for  liberty. 

Swift  to  the  breach  his  comrades  fly; 
"Make  way  for  Liberty!"  they  cry. 
And  through  the  Austrian  phalanx  dart. 


MAKE   WAY  FOR  LIBERTY  105 

As  rushed  the  spears  through  Arnold's  heart; 

While  instantaneous  as  his  fall. 

Rout,  ruin,  panic  scattered  all. 

An  earthquake  could  not  overthrow 

A  city  with  a  surer  blow. 

Thus  Switzerland  again  was  free. 

Thus  death  made  way  for  liberty. 

— James  Montgomery. 

NOTES 

1.  Look  up  the  story  of  William  Tell. 

2.  Rinaldo    ( re  nal'-do ) .     The    famous    warrior   figuring   in   the 

romantic  tales  of  Italy  and  France.  In  a  transport  of  rage 
he  killed  Charlemagne's  nephew  Berthlot.  For  this  crime 
he  was  banished  from  France.  After  various  adventures 
and  disasters  he  went  to  the  Holy  Land  and  on  his  return 
succeeded  in  making  peace  with  the  Emperor. 

3.  Look  up  the  story  of  the  struggle  for   Swiss  liberty  in  any 

good  historj'.  The  incident  here  retold  is  one  of  splendid 
sacrifice,  and  one  of  the  most  heroic  in  the  annals  of  patriot- 
ism. 

4.  Look  up  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and  expressions : 

rampart,  ignoble,  humiliate,  unmarked,  rumination,  instan- 
taneous, horrent,  impregnable,  phalanx. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Upon  what  story  is  this  poem  based? 

2.  What  do  the  first  two  lines  of  the  story  tell  us? 

3.  Explain  "living  wall"  and  "human  wood." 

4.  Explain  "conscious  stone." 

5.  Describe  the  appearance  presented  by  the  Austrian  line. 

6.  What  forces  were  opposed  to  the  Austrians? 

7.  In  what  spirit  did  this  little  band  oppose  the  Austrians  ? 

8.  Why  did  not  the  Swiss  patriots  begin  the  battle  at  once? 

9.  Why  did  they  not  rush  at  once  to  their  death? 

10.  Why  would  the  Swiss  forces  not  retreat? 

11.  Why  must  they  not  fail? 


306  STUDIES   IN  READING 


12.  Explain  "Every  freeman  was  a  host." 

13.  What  act  fired  the  Swiss  army  in  this  critical  moment? 

14.  What  effect  had  this  act  on  the  Austrian  phalanx? 

15.  In  what  sense  did  death  make  way  for  liberty? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Knowles:   William  Tell. 

Halleck:  Marco  Bozzaris. 

Browning  :   Incident  of  a  French  Camp. 

De  Amicis  :   The  Sardinian  Drummer  Boy. 

Macaulay  :  Horatius  at  the  Bridge. 

Prince  :  Who  Are  the  Free  ? 

Croly  :  Death  of  Leonidas. 

McMuRRY:  William  Tell. 

Browning:  The  Patriot. 

Desmoiilins  :  Live  Free  or  Die. 

Mrs.  Hemans  :  The  Cavern  of  the  Three  Tells. 

Sir  Henry  Taylor  :  The  Hero. 

Arnold  :  Self-Dependence. 

Bryant:  William  Tell. 

Tennyson  :  Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade. 


DR.  JOHNSON'S  LETTER  TO  HIS  DYING 
MOTHER 

Dear  Honored  Mother: — You  have  been  the 
best  mother,  and  I  believe  the  best  woman,  in 
the  world.  I  thank  you  for  your  indulgence  to 
me,  and  beg  forgiveness  of  all  that  I  have  done 
ill,  and  all  that  I  have  omitted  to  do  well.  God 
grant  you  His  Holy  Spirit,  and  receive  you  to 
everlasting  happiness,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen.  I  am,  dear,  dear  mother,  your  dutiful 
son,  Samuel  Johnson. 


HORATIUS  AT  THE  BRIDGE 

^T^HE  ancient  city  of  Rome  was  threatened 
by  an  Etruscan  invasion.  The  Etruscans, 
led  by  King  Porsena,^had  made  a  sudden  attack 
upon  the  Romans  and  had  succeeded  in  capturing 
the  hill  Janiculum  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 
The  Romans  were  fleeing  in  confusion,  throwing 
away  their  arms  as  they  ran.  Horatius,^who  had 
been  set  to  guard  the  bridge,  cried  loudly  to 
his  men,  "Men  of  Rome,  it  is  to  no  purpose  that 
ye  leave  your  post,  and  flee;  for  if  you  leave 
this  bridge  behind  you,  for  men  to  pass  over,  ye 
shall  soon  find  that  you  have  more  enemies  in 
your  city  than  in  Janiculum.  Do  ye  therefore 
break  down  the  bridge  with  axe  and  fire,  and  I, 
with  two  others,  will  stay  the  enemy."  With 
the  brave  warriors  Lartius^and  Herminius,^Hora- 
tius  ran  forward  to  the  further  end  of  the  bridge 
and  for  a  time  stayed  the  onset  of  the  enemy. 
Meanwhile  the  Roman  workmen  were  cutting 
down  the  bridge.  Before  the  last  beams  were 
cut,  the  workmen  called  to  the  three  brave 
warriors,  bidding  them  come  back.  Horatius 
bade  Lartius  and  Herminius  return,  but  he  him- 
self remained  on  the  further  side.  The  Etruscan 
soldiers  looked  in  awe  upon  the  daring  Horatius. 

^Pronounced  p6r  se'  na. 
2Pronounced  ho-ra'  shi-ws. 
^Pronounced  lar'  shi  ms. 
^Pronounced  h6r-min'  i-ws. 

107 


108  STUDIES   IN  READING 

"No  one  dared  fight  the  Roman  Chieftain 
singlehanded,  and  so,  for  very  shame,  they  all 
ran  forward,  raising  a  great  shout,  and  threw 
their  javelins  at  him.  These  all  he  caught  upon 
his  shield  nor  stood  the  less  firmly.  Suddenly,  a 
great  shout  was  heard  on  the  Roman  side,  and 
the  bridge  fell  with  a  crash  into  the  river.  The 
Etruscans  taunted  the  dauntless  hero  and  called 
upon  him  to  yield." 

The  rest  of  the  story  is  told  vividly  in  the 
following  extract  from  Macaulay's  "Horatius  at 
the  Bridge."  One  cannot  read  this  poem  with- 
out being  fired  with  admiration  for  the  heroes 
who  defended  their  native  city  in  the  brave  days 
of  old. 

HORATIUS  AT  THE  BRIDGE 

Alone  stood  brave  Horatius, 

But  constant  still  in  mind; 
Thrice  thirty  thousand  foes  before. 

And  the  broad  flood  behind. 
"Down  with  him!"  cried  false  Sextus, 

With  a  smile  on  his  pale  face; 
"Now  yield  thee,"  cried  Lars  Porsena, 
"Now  yield  thee  to  our  grace." 

Round  turned  he,  as  not  deigning 

Those  craven  ranks  to  see; 
Naught  spake  he  to  Lars  Porsena, 

To  Sextus  naught  spake  he; 


HORATIUS   AT   THE   BRIDGE  109 

But  he  saw  on  Palatinus^ 

The  white  porch  of  his  home; 

And  he  spake  to  the  noble  river 
That  rolls  by  the  towers  of  Rome: 

"Oh,  Tiber!  father  Tiber! 

To  whom  the  Romans  pray, 
A  Roman's  life,  a  Roman's  arms. 

Take  thou  in  charge  this  day!" 
So  he  spake,  and  speaking  sheathed 

The  good  sword  by  his  side. 
And  with  his  harness  on  his  back 

Plunged  headlong  in  the  tide. 

No  sound  of  joy  or  sorrow 

Was  heard  on  either  bank: 
But  friends  and  foes  in  dumb  surprise. 
With  parted  lips  and  straining  eyes. 

Stood  gazing  where  he  sank; 

And  when  above  the  surges 
They  saw  his  crest  appear. 

All  Rome  sent  forth  a  rapturous  cry. 

And  even  the  ranks  of  Tuscany 
Could  scarce  forbear  to  cheer. 

But  fiercely  ran  the  current, 

Swollen  high  by  months  of  rain; 

And  fast  his  blood  was  flowing, 
And  he  was  sore  in  pain; 

And  heavy  with  his  armor. 


1  Pronounced  pal'  d  tin'  us. 


no  STUDIES   IN  READING 

And  spent  with  changing  blows: 
And  oft  they  thought  him  sinking. 
But  still  again  he  rose. 

Never,  I  ween,  did  swimmer. 

In  such  an  evil  case. 
Struggle  through  such  a  raging  flood 

Safe  to  the  landing  place : 
But  his  limbs  were  borne  up  bravely 

By  the  brave  heart  within. 
And  our  good  father  Tiber 

Bare  bravely  up  his  chin.     .     .     . 

And  now  he  feels  the  bottom; 

Now  on  dry  earth  he  stands; 
Now  round  him  throng  the  fathers 

To  press  his  gory  hands; 
And  now,  with  shouts  and  clapping. 

And  noise  of  weeping  loud, 
He  enters  through  the  Biver-Gate, 

Borne  by  the  joyous  crowd. 

They  gave  him  of  the  corn  land. 

That  was  the  public  right, 
As  much  as  two  strong  oxen 

Could  plow  from  morn  till  night; 
And  they  made  a  molten  image. 

And  set  it  up  on  high. 
And  there  it  stands  unto  this  day, 

To  witness  if  I  lie. 


HORATIUS   AT   THE   BRIDGE  111 


It  stands  in  the  Gomitium,^ 

Plain  for  all  folk  to  see; 
Horatius  in  his  harness. 

Halting  upon  one  knee: 
And  underneath  is  written, 

In  letters  all  of  gold. 
How  well  Horatius  kept  the  bridge 

In  the  brave  days  of  old. 

— Thomas  Bahington  Macaulay. 

NOTES 

1.  Etruscans     (e-trus' kans) .    Tuscans.     A    strong    warlike    peo- 

ple who  dwelt  in  ancient  times  in  the  valley  of  the  Po, 
according  to  legendary  history.  The  Tarquin  kings  had 
been  expelled  from  Eome,  and  Lars  Porsena,  king  of  Clu- 
sium,  consented  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  Etruscans. 
Porsena  therefore  marched  upon  Rome  with  the  idea  of 
placing  the  Tuscan  king  on  the  throne  of  Rome. 

2.  JanicuJum    ( ja-nic'tt-lum) .     A  Mil  on  the  north  side  of  the 

Tiber  opposite  the  city  of  Rome. 

3.  This  event  is  said  to  have  occurred  at  Rome  about  405  B.  C. 

4.  "As  much  as  two  strong  oxen  could  plow  (around)  from  morn 

till  night." 

5.  Look  up  carefully  the  following  words  and  expressions :     grace, 

harness,  rapturous,  denying,  gory  hands,  corn  land,  Comi- 
tium,  deigning,  craven  ranks,  sheathed,  I  ween. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Why  were  the  Etruscans  anxious  to  capture  Rome? 

2.  Give,  in  your  own  words,  the  events  leading  up  to  the  story  of 

the  poem. 

3.  In  what  situation  do  you  find  the  brave  Horatius? 

4.  Why  did  he  say  nothing  in  reply  to  their  jeers  ? 

5.  What  had  just  happened  that  made  his  remaining  longer  cer- 

tain death? 

6.  What  was  the  prayer  he  uttered  to  the  River  Tiber  ? 

^Pronounced  ko-mish'  i-«m. 


112  STUDIES   IN  READING 

7.  What  effect  was  produced  on  friends  and  foes  by  his  sudden 

plunging  into  the  river  ? 

8.  What  eJBfect  on  either  side  as  they  saw  his  crest  appear  upon 

the  waves? 

9.  How  many  things  were  against  his  landing  safely  ? 

10.  How  only  could  his  safe  landing  be  accounted  for? 

11.  Why  did  the  Roman  Fathers  throng  around  him? 

12.  Why  did  the  joyous  crowd  bear  him  in  triumph  with  shouts, 

clapping,  and  noise  of  weeping? 

13.  What  real  service  had  he  performed  for  his  country? 

14.  What  reward  did  his  country  bestow  in  return  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Hubbard  :  A  Message  to  Garcia. 
Macaulay  :   Lays  of  Ancient  Rome. 
Emerson  :  Essays — Self -Reliance. 
Edwin  Arnold:  Armageddon. 
Tennyson:  Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade. 
Harte:   John  Burns  of  Gettysburg. 
Halleck:  Marco  Bozzaris. 


TRUE  COURAGE 
They  are  slaves  who  fear  to  speak 
For  the  fallen  and  the  weak; 
They  are  slaves  who  will  not  choose 
Hatred,  scoffing  and  abuse, 
Rather  than  in  silence  shrink, 
From  the  truth  they  needs  must  think; 
They  are  slaves  who  dare  not  be 
In  the  right  with  two  or  three. 

— James  Russell  Lowell. 


GINEVRA 

T^HIS  poem  is  one  of  a  collection  of  pieces  in 
prose  and  blank  verse  which  make  up  the 
author's  "Italy."  It  commemorates  the  tragic 
fate  of  an  innocent  but  gay  young  Italian  bride 
who  on  her  wedding  night  in  playful  mood, 
"fluttering  with  joy,  the  happiest  of  the  happy," 
had  concealed  herself  within  an  old  oaken  chest 
whose  spring  lock  "fastened  her  down  forever." 
The  guests  sought  for  her  in  vain,  and  not  until 
years  had  passed  was  her  fate  discovered.  The 
chest  and  a  portrait  of  the  lady  were  shown  the 
poet  on  his  visit  to  Modena.  On  seeing  these, 
he  wrote  the  following  poem. 

GINEVRA 

If  thou  shouldst  ever  come  by  choice  or  chance 

To  Modena, 

Stop  at  a  Palace  near  the  Reggio  gate, 

Dwelt  in  of  old  by  one  of  the  Orsini. 

Its  noble  gardens,  terrace  above  terrace, 

And  rich  in  fountains,  statues,  cypresses, 

Will  long  detain  thee. 

A  summer  sun 
Sets  ere  one  half  is  seen;  but,  ere  thou  go. 
Enter  the  house — prithee,  forget  it  not — 
And  look  awhile  upon  a  picture  there. 

113 


114  STUDIES   IN  READING 

'T  is  a  lady  in  her  earliest  youth, 
The  very  last  of  that  illustrious  race, 
Done  by  Zampieri — but  by  whom  I  care  not. 
He  who  observes  it — ere  he  passes  on — 
Gazes  his  fill,  and  comes,  and  comes  again. 
That  he  may  call  it  up  when  far  away. 

She  sits,  inclining  forward  as  to  speak, 

Her  lips  half-open,  and  her  finger  up, 

As  though  she  said,  "Beware !"  Her  vest  of  gold 

'Broidered  with  flowers,  and  clasped  from  head 

to  foot, 
An  emerald  stone  in  every  golden  clasp; 
And  on  her  brow,  fairer  than  alabaster, 
A  coronet  of  pearls.    But  then  her  face. 
So  lovely,  yet  so  arch,  so  full  of  mirth. 
The  overflowings  of  an  innocent  heart — 
It  haunts  me  still,  though  many  a  year  has  fled. 
Like  some  wild  melody. 

Alone  it  hangs 
Over  a  moldering  heirloom,  its  companion, 
An  oaken  chest,  half-eaten  by  the  worm. 
But  richly  carved  by  Antony  of  Trent 
With  scripture  stories  from  the  life  of  Christ: 
A  chest  that  came  from  Venice,  and  had  held 
The  ducal  robes  of  some  old  ancestor. 
That  by  the  way — it  may  be  true  or  false — 
But  don't  forget  the  picture;  and  thou  wilt  not. 
When  thou  hast  heard  the  tale  they  told  me  there. 

She  was  an  only  child;  from  infancy 
The  joy,  the  pride  of  an  indulgent  sire. 
Her  mother  dying  of  the  gift  slie  gave, 


GINEVRA  115 


That  precious  gift,  what  else  remained  to  him? 

The  young  Ginevra  was  his  all  in  life. 

Still,  as  she  grew,  forever  in  his  sight; 

And  in  her  fifteenth  year  became  a  bride, 

Marr>dng  an  only  son,  Francesco^  Doria, 

Her  playmate  from  her  birth,  and  her  first  love. 

Just  as  she  looks  there  in  her  bridal  dress. 
She  was — all  gentleness,  all  gayety, 
Her  pranks  the  favorite  theme  of  every  tongue. 
But  now  the  day  was  come, — the  day,  the  hour; 
Now,  frowning,  smiling,  for  the  hundredth  time. 
The  nurse,  that  ancient  lady,  preached  decorum; 
And,  in  the  luster  of  her  youth,  she  gave 
Her  hand,  with  her  heart  in  it,  to  Francesco. 

Great  was  the  joy,  but  at  the  bridal  feast. 
When  all  sat  down,  the  bride  was  wanting  there. 
Nor  was  she  to  be  found!     Her  father  cried, 
"  'T  is  but  to  make  a  trial  of  our  love !" 
And  filled  his  glass  to  all;  but  his  hand  shook. 
And  soon  from  guest  to  guest  the  panic  spread. 
'T  was  but  that  instant  she  had  left  Francesco, 
Laughing  and  looking  back  and  flying  still, — 
Her  ivory  tooth  imprinted  on  his  finger. 
But  now,  alas!  she  was  not  to  be  found; 
Nor  from  that  hour  could  anything  be  guessed 
But  that  she  was  not. 

Weary  of  his  life, 
Francesco  flew  to  Venice,  and  forthwith 
Flung  it  away  in  battle  with  the  Turk. 
Orsini  lived;  and  long  mightst  thou  have  seen 

^Pronounced  fran-chgs'k6. 


116  STUDIES    IN    READING 

An    old    man    wandering    as    in    quest    of   some- 
thing,— 
Something  he  could  not  find,  he  knew  not  what. 
When  he  was  gone,  the  house  remained  a  while 
Silent  and  tenantless;  then  went  to  strangers. 
Full  fifty  years  were  past,  and  all  forgot. 
When  on  an  idle  day — a  day  of  search 
'Mid  the  old  lumber  in  the  gallery — 
That  moldering  chest  was  noticed;  and  't  was  said, 
By  one  as  young,  as  thoughtless,  as  Ginevra, 
"Why  not  remove  it  from  its  lurking-place?" 
'T  was  done  as  soon  as  said;  but  on  the  way 
It  burst,  it  fell;  and,  lo,  a  skeleton. 
With  here  and  there  a  pearl,  an  emerald  stone, 
A  golden  clasp,  clasping  a  shred  of  gold! 

All  else  had  perished  save  a  nuptial  ring. 
And  a  small  seal,  her  mother's  legacy. 
Engraven  with  a  name,  the  name  of  both, 
"Ginevra."    There,  then,  had  she  found  a  grave! 
Within  that  chest  had  she  concealed  herself. 
Fluttering  with  joy,  the  happiest  of  the  happy; 
When  a  spring  lock,  that  lay  in  ambush  there. 
Fastened  her  down  forever! 

— Samuel  Rogers. 

NOTES 

1.  Modena,  m6'd&-na,  a  city  of  northern  Italy. 

2.  Reggio,  rgd'jo,  a  city  sixteen  miles  northwest  of  Modena. 

3.  Orsini,  6r-se'ne,  a  noted  Italian  family  name. 

4.  Zampieri,  ts4m-pyft're,   an   Italian   painter,    1581-1G41. 

5.  Antony,  an  artist  of  Trent  in  Austria. 
0.  Doria,  celebrated  family  name  of  Genoa. 

7.  Study  imtil  every  word  and  passage  is  clear. 


GINEVRA  117 


EXERCISES 

1.  What  suggested  this  poem  to  the  author? 

2.  Give  briefly  the  story  of  the  poem. 

3.  Why   is   the   author   so   anxious    that   the   reader   should   see 

the  picture  if  ever  in  Modena? 

4.  What  effect  of  the  picture  upon  even  the  casual  observer? 

5.  Describe  the  picture  as  the  poet  has  made  you  see  it. 

6.  Why  does  it  haunt  him  still  "like  some  wild  melody"? 

7.  What  shows  his  lesser  interest  in  the  chest? 

8.  Just  what  do  you  infer  was  Ginevra's  character? 

9.  Explain    "She  gave   her   hand,     with    her    heart    in    it,    to 

Francesco." 

10.  Explain  "his  hand  shook," 

11.  What  was  thought  to  be  her  fate? 

12.  W^hat  events   led  to  the   real   explanation   of  her  mysterious 

disappearance  ? 

13.  If  this  poem  represents  a  great  truth  of  life,  in  what  sense  is 

a  young  person  to-day  likely  to  shut  himself  up  and  come 
to  naught? 

14.  W^hat,  then,  seems  to  be  the  deeper  meaning  of  her  attitude 

and  of  "Beware!"  in  the  third  stanza? 

ADDITIONAL   READINGS 

Bible:   Parable  of  the  Talents   (Matthew  xxv,  14-30). 

Lowell:   Hebe. 

BoNAR:  We  Walked  Among  the  Whispering  Pines. 

Ina  Coalbrith:   Fruitionless. 

Susan  Mark  Spaulding:  Fate. 

Byron:   The  Prisoner  of  Chillon. 

HiLDEGARDE  Hawthorne  :  My  Rosc. 

Susan  Cooltdge:  Ginevra. 

Keats  :   Isabella. 


THE  DEATH  OF  LITTLE  NELL 

A  BRAHAM  LINCOLN  once  said  that  God 
must  love  the  common  people  because  He 
made  so  many  of  them.  Charles  Dickens  must 
have  had  something  of  this  philosophy,  as  he  has 
told  us  so  many  beautiful  things  of  the  very  poor. 
And  when  we  think  seriously  of  the  matter,  it  is 
true  that  the  life  of  the  poor  is  a  paean  of  praise 
of  that  in  man  which  is  divine.  Wealth  and  afflu- 
ence do  not  bring  out  the  highest  qualities  of  the 
human  soul. 

Pleasure  is  a  necessity  of  the  race.  Provi- 
dence meant  for  each  of  us  to  be  happy  and 
endowed  us  with  faculties  which  make  it  possible 
for  us  to  recall  that  which  we  have  seen,  or 
heard,  or  experienced  in  any  way,  and  by  re- 
combining  these  things,  to  create  a  new  experi- 
ence for  our  comfort.  Thus  the  beggar  upon 
the  highway  gets  real  and  genuine  pleasure  from 
the  possessions  of  his  more  fortunate  brother. 
Blessed  is  that  person  whose  privations  make  it 
necessary  for  him  to  hold  feasts  in  his  imagina- 
tion. If  his  training  is  true,  he  eliminates  that 
which  is  repulsive,  ugly,  or  mean  enough  to  em- 
bitter his  soul,  and  preserves  that  which  ever 

118 


THE  DEATH  OF  LITTLE  NELL  119 

enriches,  ever  blesses,  ever  beckons  to  higher 
ground,  and  becomes  the  holy  of  holies  where 
he  may  worship  and  praise. 

The  true  meaning  of  death  as  not  only  a 
natural  result  of  life,  but  what  may  be  also  a 
triumphant  sequel  to  a  life  well  spent,  can  best 
be  appreciated  by  one  who  has  struggled  with 
life's  grimmest  realities.  It  is  not  well  to  dwell 
morbidly  upon  death,  nor  yet  is  it  wise  to  ignore 
its  meaning  and  possibilities,  as  it  is  that  which 
we  must  each  face  at  last. 

Few  lovelier  characters  have  been  portrayed 
than  Dickens'  Little  Nell.  Only  an  acquaint- 
ance with  her  life  as  told  in  "Old  Curiosity 
Shop"  can  lead  one  to  appreciate  fully  the  deep 
pathos  and  tragedy,  yet  ultimate  triumph  of  her 
death. 

The  child,  whose  death  is  so  powerfully  de- 
scribed in  the  following,  has  led  a  life  filled  with 
experiences  that  tried  to  the  utmost  her  frail 
body  as  well  as  her  sterling  character.  At  first 
she  was  a  glad  partner  in  her  grandfather's  hum- 
ble though  pleasant  home  in  London.  The 
grandfather's  passion  for  gambling  and  the  evil 
machinations  of  Quilp,  the  evil  genius  of  the 
story,  cause  the  child  to  persuade  her  grand- 
father to  leave  the  city  and  flee  into  the  country. 
After  wandering  about  exposed  to  danger  from 


120  STUDIES  IN  READING 

inclement  weather,  evil  persons,  and  the  results 
of  the  old  man's  habit  of  gambling,  they  meet 
a  kind  schoolmaster,  who  though  poor  himself, 
shows  them  great  friendship.  He  secures  a 
home  and  employment  for  them  and  is  present 
in  this  last  sad  hour. 

The  story  of  Little  Nell  told  in  Dickens' 
powerful  imagery  has  wrung  the  hearts  of 
thousands.  It  is  said  that  on  one  occasion  a  lady 
went  to  call  on  the  great  Thackeray  and  found 
him  with  his  head  bowed  upon  a  book.  The 
caller  started  to  leave,  when  the  novelist  looked 
up  with  streaming  eyes  and  exclaimed,  "O, 
Little  Nell  is  dead!"  "Little  Nell?"  interro- 
gated the  visitor.  "Yes,  Little  Nell.  She  is 
dead.  I  have  just  been  reading  about  it,"  said 
he,  pointing  to  the  book.  It  was  "Old  Curiosity 
Shop." 

THE  DEATH  OF  LITTLE  NELL 

They  were  all  about  her  at  the  time,  knowing 
that  the  end  was  drawing  on.  They  had  read  and 
talked  to  her  in  the  earlier  portion  of  the  night 
but  as  the  hours  crept  on,  she  sunk  to  sleep. 
They  could  tell,  by  what  she  faintly  uttered  in 
her  dreams,  that  they  were  of  her  journeyings 
with  the  old  man;  they  were  of  no  painful  scenes, 
but  of  people  who  had  helped  and  used  them 
kindly,  for  she  often  said  "God  bless  you!"  with 
great  fervor.     Waking,   she  never  wandered  in 


THE  DEATH  OF  LITTLE  NELL  121 

her  mind  but  once,  and  that  was  of  beautiful 
music  which  she  said  was  in  the  air.  God  knows. 
It  may  have  been. 

Opening  her  eyes  at  last  from  a  very  quiet  sleep, 
she  begged  that  they  would  kiss  her  once  again. 
That  done,  she  turned  to  the  old  man  with  a  lovely 
smile  upon  her  face — such,  they  said,  as  they  had 
never  seen,  and  never  could  forget — and  clung 
with  both  her  arms  about  his  neck.  They  did  not 
know  that  she  was  dead,  at  first. 

She  was  dead.  There,  upon  her  little  bed,  she 
lay  at  rest.  The  solemn  stillness  was  no  marvel 
now. 

She  was  dead.  No  sleep  so  beautiful  and  calm, 
so  free  from  trace  of  pain,  so  fair  to  look  upon. 
She  seemed  a  creature  fresh  from  the  hand  of 
God,  and  waiting  for  the  breath  of  life;  not  one 
who  had  lived  and  suffered  death. 

Her  couch  was  dressed  with  here  and  there 
some  winter  berries  and  green  leaves,  gathered 
in  a  spot  she  had  been  used  to  favor.  "When  I 
die,  put  near  me  something  that  has  loved  the 
light,  and  had  the  sky  above  it  always."  Those 
were  her  words. 

She  was  dead.  Dear,  gentle,  patient,  noble  Nell 
was  dead.  Her  little  bird — a  poor  slight  thing 
the  pressure  of  a  finger  would  have  crushed — was 
stirring  nimbly  in  its  cage;  and  the  strong  heart 
of  its  child  mistress  was  mute  and  motionless 
forever. 

Where  were  the  traces  of  her  early  cares,  her 


122  STUDIES  IN  READING 

sufferings,  and  fatigue.  All  gone.  Sorrow  was 
dead  indeed  in  her,  but  peace  and  perfect  happi- 
ness were  born;  imaged  in  her  tranquil  beauty 
and  profound  repose. 

And  still  her  former  self  lay  there,  unaltered 
in  this  change.  Yes.  The  old  fireside  had  smiled 
upon  that  same  sweet  face;  it  had  passed,  like  a 
dream,  through  haunts  of  misery  and  care;  at 
the  door  of  the  poor  schoolmaster  on  the  summer 
evening,  before  the  furnace  fire  upon  a  cold  wet 
night,  at  the  still  bedside  of  the  dying  boy,  there 
had  been  the  same  mild  lovely  look.  So  shall  we 
know  the  angels  in  their  majesty,  after  death. 

The  old  man  held  one  languid  arm  in  his,  and 
had  the  small  hand  tight  folded  to  his  breast  for 
warmth.  It  was  the  hand  she  had  stretched  out 
to  him  with  her  last  smile — the  hand  that  had 
led  him  on,  through  all  their  wanderings.  Ever 
and  anon  he  pressed  it  to  his  lips;  then  hugged 
it  to  his  breast  again,  murmuring  that  it  was 
warmer  now;  and,  as  he  said  it,  he  looked,  in 
agony,  to  those  who  stood  around,  as  if  imploring 
them  to  help  her. 

She  was  dead,  and  past  all  help,  or  need  of  it. 
The  ancient  rooms  she  had  seemed  to  fill  with 
life,  even  while  her  own  was  waning  fast— the 
garden  she  had  tended — the  eyes  she  had  glad- 
dened—the noiseless  haunts  of  many  a  thoughtful 
hour- the  paths  she  had  trodden  as  it  were  but 
yesterday — could  know  her  never  more. 

"It  is  not,"  said  the  schoolmaster,  as  he  bent 


THE  DEATH  OF  LITTLE  NELL  123 

down  to  kiss  her  on  the  cheek,  and  gave  his  tears 
free  vent,  "it  is  not  on  earth  that  Heaven's  justice 
ends.  Think  what  earth  is,  compared  with  the 
world  to  which  her  young  spirit  has  winged  its 
early  flight;  and  say,  if  one  deliberate  wish 
expressed  in  solemn  terms  above  this  bed  could 
call  her  back  to  life,  which  of  us  would  utter  it!" 
— Charles  Dickens. 

NOTES 

1.  Read  Dickens'  "Old  Curiosity  Shop." 

2.  Collect   whatever   stories  you   can,   telling  how   great   heroes 

have  died. 

3.  Read  Tennyson's  "Crossing  the  Bar." 

4.  Look  up  carefully  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions:  portion,  faintly,  journeying,  fervor,  solemn 
stillness,  marvel,  fatigue,  imaged,  tranquil  beauty,  languid, 
anon,  imploring,  waning,  free  vent,  deliberate. 

EXERCISES 

1.  If  Nell  thought  only  of  the  people  who  had  been  kind  to  her, 

what  was  her  condition  in  the  scene  in  the  opening  para- 
graph ? 

2.  What  did  her  words  tell  us  of  her? 

3.  Why  should  she  wish  them  to  kiss  her  again? 

4.  How  did  she  feel  toward  the  old  man  ? 

5.  What  do  you  know  of  her  life  from  her  asking  that  they  put 

"something  that  had  loved  the  light"  near  her  ? 

6.  Why  does  the  author  describe  the  little  bird  as  he  does  when 

he  speaks  of  it? 

7.  Why  does  the  autlior  remind  us  that  sorrow  was  dead  and  hap- 

piness was  born? 

8.  Why  recall  her  struggles  with  poverty  and  discomfort? 

9.  What  does  "So  shall  we  know  the  angels"  suggest? 

10.  What  is  the  old  man's  feeling  as  he  presses  the  hand  of  the 

dead  child? 

11.  Why  would  the  schoolmaster  not  call  her  back  if  he  could? 

12.  Was  there  a  triumph  in  this  death  ? 


124  STUDIES  IN  READING 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Charles  Dickens:   Hard  Times.  Death  of  Paul  Dombey. 

Harriet  Beecher  Stowe:  Death  of  Eva,  in  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin. 

Henry  Ward  Beecher  :  Death  of  Lincoln. 

Browning:  Evelyn  Hope.  The  Guardian  Angel. 

Tennyson:    Crossing  the  Bar.    Break,  Break,   Break. 

Mrs.  Browning:  The  Sleep. 

Adams:  Nearer,  My  God,  to  Thee. 

Whittier:  Thy  Will  be  Done.  Eternal  Goodness.  The  Angel  of 

Patience. 
Bryant:  Thanatopsis. 

Wordsworth:   Intimations  of  Immortality. 
Holmes  :  The  Voiceless. 

Gray:   Elegy  Written  in  a  Country  Churcliyard. 
McCreery  :  There  is  No  Death. 
Eliot  :  The  Choir  Invisible. 
Priest  :  Over  the  River. 
Bacon:  Of  Death. 
Alice  Brown:  Rosy  Balm. 
Sarah  Orne  Jewett  :  The  White  Heron. 


THE  NATURE  OF  LOVE 

Love  is  the  river  of  life  in  this  world.  Think 
not  that  ye  know  it  who  stand  at  the  little 
tinkling  rill — the  first  small  fountain.  Not  until 
you  have  gone  through  the  rocky  gorges,  and  not 
lost  the  stream;  not  until  you  have  gone  through 
the  meadow,  and  the  stream  has  widened  and 
deepened  until  fleets  could  ride  on  its  bosom; 
not  until  beyond  the  meadow  you  have  come  to 
the  unfathomable  ocean,  and  poured  your  treas- 
ures into  its  depths — not  until  then  can  you  know 
what  love  is. — Henry  Ward  Beecher, 


THE    SONG    OF    THE    SHIRT 

np  HOMAS  HOOD,  who  wrote  so  touchingly 
of  his  childhood  home,  found  it  impossible 
to  observe  the  life  of  the  poor  without  pity  well- 
ing up  within  and  overflowing  his  heart.  In  his 
day,  the  condition  of  the  workingman  and  seam- 
stress was  even  worse  than  it  is  to-day.  Long 
hours,  insufficient  light  and  air,  and  scanty  wage 
all  combined  to  cause  the  labor  performed  to 
absorb  the  entire  life  of  the  worker.  Work 
itself  is  ennobling.  Drudgery  is  always  blight- 
ing. No  greater  service  can  be  rendered  the  race 
than  to  make  work  pleasanter  and  more  varied. 
Nature  seems  to  demand  a  rhythmic  accom- 
paniment to  whatever  we  do  with  our  hands. 
The  mower  whets  his  scythe  to  a  tune.  The 
sailor  sings  a  certain  song  to  a  certain  tune  as 
he  works  the  windlass.  The  slave  gang  gives 
utterance  to  a  monotonous  chant  as  they  writhe 
under  the  overseer's  tasks.  So  it  seemed  to  the 
poet  that  there  was  an  undertone  of  ineffable 
sadness  peculiar  to  the  seamstress'  work  as  she 
spent  the  long  hours  bending  over  the  inter- 
minable task  of  sewing,  that  others  might  be 
comfortable  and  satisfied  with  their  appearance. 

125 


126  STUDIES  IN  READING 

THE  SONG  OF  THE  SHIRT 
With  fingers  weary  and  worn, 
With  eyelids  heavy  and  red, 
A  woman  sat  in  unwomanly  rags. 
Plying  her  needle  and  thread — 
Stitch!  stitch!  stitch! 
In  poverty,  hunger,  and  dirt, 

And  still  with  a  voice  of  dolorous  pitch. 
She  sang  the  "Song  of  the  Shirt." 

"Work!  work!  work! 

While  the  cock  is  crowing  aloof! 
And  work — work — work, 

Till  the  stars  shine  through  the  roof! 
It's  oh!  to  be  a  slave 

Along  with  the  barbarous  Turk, 
Where  woman  has  never  a  soul  to  save. 

If  this  is  Christian  work! 

"Work — work — work. 

Till  the  brain  begins  to  swim; 
Work — work — work. 

Till  the  eyes  are  heavy  and  dim! 
Seam,  and  gusset,  and  band, 

Band,  and  gusset,  and  seam. 
Till  over  the  buttons  I  fall  asleep, 

And  sew  them  on  in  a  dream! 

"Oh,  Men,  with  Sisters  dear! 

Oh,  Men,  with  Mothers  and  Wives! 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  SHIRT  127 

It  is  not  linen  you're  wearing  out. 

But  human  creatures'  lives! 
Stitch — stitch — stitch, 

In  poverty,  hunger,  and  dirt. 
Sewing  at  once,  with  a  double  thread, 

A  Shroud  as  well  as  a  Shirt. 

'But  why  do  I  talk  of  Death, 

That  Phantom  of  grisly  bone? 
I  hardly  fear  his  terrible  shape. 

It  seems  so  like  my  own — 
It  seems  so  like  my  own. 

Because  of  the  fasts  I  keep; 
Oh,  God !  that  bread  should  be  so  dear. 

And  flesh  and  blood  so  cheap! 

*Work — work — work ! 

My  labor  never  flags ; 
And  what  are  its  wages?    A  bed  of  straw, 

A  crust  of  bread — and  rags. 
That  shattered  roof — and  this  naked  floor — 

A  table — a  broken  chair — 
And  a  wall  so  blank,  my  shadow  I  thank 

For  sometimes  falling  there ! 

'Work — work — work ! 

From  weary  chime  to  chime. 
Work — work — work — 

As  prisoners  work  for  crime! 
Band,  and  gusset,  and  seam, 


128  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Seam,  and  gusset,  and  band. 
Till  the  heart  is  sick,  and  the  brain  benumb'd. 
As  well  as  the  weary  hand. 

"Work — work — work. 

In  the  dull  December  light. 
And  work — work — work. 

When  the  weather  is  warm  and  bright — 
While  underneath  the  eaves 

The  brooding  swallows  cling 
As  if  to  show  me  their  sunny  backs 

And  twit  me  with  the  spring. 

"Oh!  but  to  breathe  the  breath 

Of  the  cowslip  and  primrose  sweet — 
With  the  sky  above  my  head. 

And  the  grass  beneath  my  feet. 
For  only  one  short  hour 

To  feel  as  I  used  to  feel, 
Before  I  knew  the  woes  of  want 

And  the  walk  that  costs  a  meal! 

"Oh!  but  for  one  short  hour! 

A  respite  however  brief! 
No  blessed  leisure  for  Love  or  Hope 

But  only  time  for  Grief! 
A  little  weeping  would  ease  my  heart. 

But  in  their  briny  bed 
My  tears  must  stop,  for  every  drop 

Hinders  needle  and  thread !" 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  SHIRT  129; 


With  fingers  weary  and  worn. 

With  eyelids  heavy  and  red, 
A  woman  sat  in  unwomanly  rags. 

Plying  her  needle  and  thread — 
Stitch!  stitch!  stitch! 

In  poverty,  hunger,  and  dirt, 
And  still  with  a  voice  of  dolorous  pitch. 
Would  that  its  tone  could  reach  the  Rich! 

She  sang  this  "Song  of  the  Shirt!" 

— Thomas  Hood. 

NOTES 

1.  Charles  Dickens  did  much  in  his  time  to  call  the  attention  of 

his  countrymen  to  many  things  that  might  be  done  to  alle- 
viate the  sufferings  of  the  poor  workingmen.  Read  "Little 
Dorrit"  and  "David  Copperfield"  and  note  conditions  as 
described  there.  In  "Hard  Times,"  he  does  some  of  his 
most  effective  work  along  this  line. 

2.  Find  and  read  all  you  can  of  labor  conditions  in  our  own 

country.  Especially  notice  all  that  you  can  find  as  to  the 
laws  enacted  by  various  states  in  regard  to  the  employment 
of  women  and  children. 

3.  Find  out  all  you  can  of  the  invention  of  the  sewing  machine. 

Tell  how  this  invention  affects  the  things  mentioned  in  this 
poem. 

4.  Define  as  here  used :     dolorous,  aloof,  gusset,  grisly,  benumbed, 

twit. 

EXERCISES 

1 .  What  are  "unwomanly  rags"  ? 

2.  May  scanty  wages  ever  excuse  dirt? 

3.  Could  bad  sanitary  conditions  ever  do  so? 

4.  When  does  the  cock  "crow  aloof "  ? 

5.  How  long  does  the  seamstress  work  each  day  in  hours? 
3.  What  is  the  significance  of, 


130  STUDIES  IN  READING 

"It's  oh!   to  be  a  slave 

Along  with  the  barbarous  Turk, 
Where  woman  has  never  a  soul  to  save, 

If  this  is  Christian  work ! "  ? 

7.  What  seems  most  dreadful  in  the  seamstress'  work  ? 

8.  Why  does  the  author  write,  "seam,  and  gusset,  and  band,"  and 

in  the  next  line  repeat  the  same  words  in  reverse  order? 

9.  How  can  one  be  "wearing  out  human  creatures'  lives"? 

10.  What  does  he  mean  by  "Sewing  a  Shroud  as  well  as  a  Shirt"? 

11.  In  what  sense  is  flesh  and  blood  cheap? 

12.  Does  the  seamstress  object  to  working? 

13.  How  could  a  walk  cost  a  meal? 

14.  How  could  tears  hinder  needle  and  thread? 

15.  Why  does  the  poet  wish  the  tone  to  reach  tlie  rich? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Longfellow:  The   Builders.  The  Village  Blacksmith.  Ladder  of 

Saint  Augustine.  Keramos. 
KiNGSLEY :  The  Three  Fishers. 
Chester:  The  Tapestry  Weavers. 
Poe:  Israfel. 
Wade  :  The  Net  Braiders. 
Goldsmith  :  Tlie  Deserted  Village. 
Markham  :  The  Man  With  the  Hoe. 
Burns  :  The  Cotter's  Saturday  Xight. 
Piatt:  The  Gift  of  Empty  Hands. 
Savage:  Beauty  in  Common  Things. 
O'Reilly  :  Dying  in  Harness. 


A  LOFTIER  WAY 
Easy  to  match  what  others  do, 

Perform  the  feat  as  well  as  they; 
Hard  to  outdo  the  brave,  the  true. 
And  find  a  loftier  way. 

— Ralph  Waldo  Emerson, 


HE  NEVER  SMILED  AGAIN 

np  HOSE  who,  in  jolly  slang  phrase,  now  use 
the  expression  "He  never  smiled  again," 
little  dream  of  the  real  tragedy  hidden  in  these 
words.  The  following  story,  taken  from  Dick- 
ens' Child's  History  of  England,  tells  of  the 
tragic  death  of  Prince  William,  and  of  the  deep 
sorrow  of  his  father,  King  Henry.  King  Henry 
had  concluded  peace  with  the  French,  had  had 
his  son  acknowledged  as  his  successor  by  the 
Norman  nobles,  and  had  prepared  to  return  from 
Normandy  to  England.  On  the  twenty-fifth  day 
of  November,  one  thousand  one  hundred  and 
twenty,  the  King  and  his  retinue  prepared  to 
embark  at  the  Port  of  Barfleur  for  the  return 
voyage.  Dickens  tells  the  rest  of  the  story  as 
follows . 

HE  NEVER  SMILED  AGAIN 

On  that  day,  and  at  that  place,  there  came  to  the 
King,  Fitz-Stephen,  a  sea-captain,  and  said: 

"My  liege,  my  father  served  your  father  all  his 
life  upon  the  sea.  He  steered  the  ship  with  the 
golden  boy  upon  the  prow,  in  which  your  father 
sailed  to  conquer  England.  I  beseech  you  to 
grant  me  the  same  office.  I  have  a  fair  vessel  in 
the  harbor  here  called  The  White  Ship,  manned 

131 


132  STUDIES  IN  READING 

by  fifty  sailors  of  renown.  I  pray  you,  Sire,  to 
let  your  servant  have  the  honor  of  steering  you  in 
The  White  Ship  to  England!" 

"I  am  sorry,  friend,"  replied  the  King,  "that 
my  vessel  is  already  chosen,  and  that  I  cannot 
(therefore)  sail  with  the  son  of  the  man  who 
served  my  father.  But  the  Prince  and  all  his 
company  shall  go  along  with  you,  in  the  fair 
White  Ship,  manned  by  the  fifty  sailors  of 
renown." 

Now,  the  Prince  was  a  dissolute,  debauched 
young  man  of  eighteen,  who  bore  no  love  to  the 
English,  and  had  declared  that  when  he  came  to 
the  throne  he  would  yoke  them  to  the  plow  like 
oxen.  He  went  aboard  The  White  Ship,  with  one 
hundred  and  forty  youthful  Nobles  like  himself, 
among  whom  were  eighteen  noble  ladies  of  the 
highest  rank.  All  this  gay  company,  with  their 
servants  and  the  fifty  sailors,  made  three  hundred 
souls  aboard  the  fair  White  Ship. 

"Give  three  casks  of  wine,  Fitz-Stephen,"  said 
the  Prince,  "to  the  fifty  sailors  of  renown!  My 
father  the  King  has  sailed  out  of  the  harbor. 
What  time  is  there  to  make  merry  here  and  yet 
reach  England  with  the  rest?" 

"Prince,"  said  Fitz-Stephen,  "before  morning 
my  fifty  and  The  White  Ship  shall  overtake  the 
swiftest  vessel  in  attendance  on  your  father  the 
King,  if  we  sail  at  midnight!" 

Then,  the  Prince  commanded  to  make  merry; 
and  the  sailors  drank  out  the  three  casks  of  wine; 


HE  NEVER  SMILED  AGAIN  133 

and  the  Prince  and  all  the  noble  company  danced 
in  the  moonlight  on  the  deck  of  The  White  Ship. 

When,  at  last,  she  shot  out  of  the  harbor  of 
Barfleur,  there  was  not  a  sober  seaman  on  board. 
But  the  sails  were  all  set,  and  the  oars  all  going 
merrily.  Fitz-Stephen  had  the  helm.  The  gay 
young  nobles  and  the  beautiful  ladies,  wrapped 
in  mantles  of  various  bright  colors  to  protect  them 
from  the  cold,  talked,  laughed,  and  sang.  The 
Prince  encouraged  the  fifty  sailors  to  row  harder 
yet,  for  the  honor  of  The  White  Ship. 

Crash !  A  terrific  cry  broke  from  three  hundred 
hearts.  The  White  Ship  had  struck  upon  a  rock — 
was  filling — going  down! 

Fitz-Stephen  hurried  the  Prince  into  a  boat, 
with  some  few  Nobles.  "Push  off,"  he  whispered; 
"and  row  to  the  land.  It  is  not  far,  and  the  sea 
is  smooth.    The  rest  of  us  must  die." 

But,  as  they  rowed  away  from  the  sinking  ship, 
the  Prince  heard  the  voice  of  his  sister  Marie,  the 
Countess  of  Perche,  calling  for  help.  He  never  in 
his  life  had  been  so  good  as  he  was  then.  He 
cried  in  an  agony,  "Row  back  at  any  risk!  I 
cannot  bear  to  leave  her!" 

They  rowed  back.  As  the  Prince  held  out  his 
arms  to  catch  his  sister,  such  numbers  leaped  in, 
that  the  boat  was  overset.  And  in  the  same 
instant  The  White  Ship  went  down.  Only  one  of 
all  the  crew  lived  to  tell  the  tale. 

For  three  days,  no  one  dared  to  carry  the  intelli- 
gence to  the  King.     At  length,  they  sent  into  his 


134  STUDIES  IN  READING 

presence  a  little  boy,  who,  weeping  bitterly,  and 
kneeling  at  his  feet,  told  him  that  The  White  Ship 
was  lost  with  all  on  board.  The  King  fell  to  the 
ground  like  a  dead  man,  and  never,  never  after- 
wards, was  seen  to  smile. — Charles  Dickens, 

NOTES 

1.  Read  Dickens'  Child's  History  of  England,  Chapter  X. 

2.  Look  up  carefully  on  any  map  the  location  of  the  British  Isles, 

with  respect  to  the  French  coast,  and  locate  Normandy. 

3.  Look  up  carefully  the  meanings  of  the  following  words :     liege, 

dissolute,  debauched,  mantles,  encouraged,  countess,  intelli- 
gence. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Just  where  did  the  scene  of  this  story  take  place? 

2.  When  did  the  event  of  this  story  occur? 

3.  Tell  how  the  Prince  came  to  ride  in  The  White  Ship. 

4.  What  kind  of  man  was  Prince  William?     Give  passages  which 

prove  your  conclusion. 

5.  What  did  you  learn  from  this  story  concerning  the  customs 

of  that  day? 

6.  What  happened  to  The  White  Ship? 

7.  Why  was  the  Prince  the  first  to  be  rescued? 

8.  What  is  shown  of  the  Prince  in  the  event  that  followed? 

9.  Why  did  no  one  dare  to  carry  the  intelligence  to  the  King? 

10.  Why  did  they  send  the  little  boy  to  tell  him? 

11.  Explain  "weeping  bitterly." 

12.  How  did  the  King  receive  the  intelligence  of  the  Prince's  fate  ? 

13.  Explain    the    fuller    meaning   of    the    expression,    "He    never 

smiled  again." 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Hemans:  He  Never  Smiled  Again. 

Emma  Hart  Willard:    Rocked  in  the  Cradle  of  the  Deep. 

Brainard:  Tlie  Deep. 

Francis  Freeling  Broderip:  The  Hungry  Sea. 

KiNGSijJY :  The  Three  Fishers. 

Dante  Gabriel  Rossetti:  The  White  Ship. 


THE  LADDER  OF  SAINT  AUGUSTINE 

C  AINT  AUGUSTINE  was  one  of  the  most 
eminent  Christian  church  followers.  He 
was  born  November  13,  354,  in  Numidia,  in 
northern  Africa,  and  died  in  430.  During  his 
youth  and  early  manhood  he  was  guilty  of 
great  excesses,  vices,  and  follies.  At  the  age 
of  thirty-two,  after  many  years  of  wickedness, 
he  was  converted  in  Italy  to  the  Christian  faith. 
A  year  later  he  was  prepared  for  baptism  and, 
like  Paul,  became  as  zealous  in  good  works  as  he 
had  been  before  in  evil  works.  Immediately  after 
his  conversion  he  returned  to  Africa,  sold  his 
estates,  and  gave  the  proceeds  to  the  poor.  For 
three  years  he  lived  the  life  of  a  hermit,  devoting 
himself  to  religious  duties.  He  entered  the  holy 
office  of  priest  and  later  became  bishop  of  Hippo, 
where  he  performed  the  most  signal  services  to 
the  church.  In  one  of  his  best  sermons  he  used 
the  expression,  "Of  our  vices  we  make  ourselves 
a  ladder,  if  we  trample  them  under  our  feet." 
He  had  spoken  this  truth  from  his  own  experi- 
ence. 

Upon  this  thought  Longfellow  based  this 
poem.  Longfellow  gives  a  catalog  of  vices  each 
of  which  may  be  made  to  serve  as  a  round  in  the 


135 


136  STUDIES  IN  READING 

ladder.  The  entire  poem  is  a  poem  of  hope,  and 
gives  every  one  who  has  made  mistakes  com- 
fort in  the  thought  that  he  may  rise  to  greater 
things  if  he  is  wiUing  to  profit  by  his  mistakes. 

THE  LADDER  OF  SAINT  AUGUSTINE-^ 
Saint  Augustine!  well  hast  thou  said. 

That  of  our  vices  we  can  frame 
A  ladder,  if  we  will  but  tread 

Beneath  our  feet  each  deed  of  shame! 

All  common  things,  each  day's  events. 
That  with  the  hour  begin  and  end, 

Our  pleasures  and  our  discontents. 
Are  rounds  by  which  we  may  ascend. 

The  low  desire,  the  base  design. 
That  makes  another's  virtues  less; 

The  revel  of  the  ruddy  wine. 
And  all  occasions  of  excess; 

The  longing  for  ignoble  things; 

The  strife  for  triumph  more  than  truth; 
The  hardening  of  the  heart,  that  brings 

Irreverence  for  the  dreams  of  youth; 

All  thoughts  of  ill;  all  evil  deeds. 

That  have  their  root  in  thoughts  of  ill; 

Whatever  hinders  or  impedes 
The  action  of  the  nobler  will; — 


'Used  by  permission  of,  and  by  special  arranjfemoiit  with,  tlie 
authorized  publishers,  Houghton  Mifflin  Company. 


THE  LADDER  OF  SAINT  AUGUSTINE     137 

All  these  must  first  be  trampled  down 
Beneath  our  feet,  if  we  would  gain 

In  the  bright  field  of  fair  renown 
The  right  of  eminent  domain. 

We  have  not  wings,  we  cannot  soar; 

But  we  have  feet  to  scale  and  climb 
By  slow  degrees,  by  more  and  more. 

The  cloudy  summits  of  our  time. 

The  mighty  pyramids  of  stone 

That  wedge-like  cleave  the  desert  airs. 

When  nearer  seen,  and  better  known. 
Are  but  gigantic  flights  of  stairs. 

The  distant  mountains,  that  uprear 

Their  solid  bastions  to  the  skies. 
Are  crossed  by  pathwaj^s,  that  appear 

As  we  to  higher  levels  rise. 

The  heights  by  great  men  reached  and  kept 
Were  not  attained  by  sudden  flight. 

But  they,  while  their  companions  slept. 
Were  toiling  upward  in  the  night. 

Standing  on  what  too  long  we  bore 

With  shoulders  bent  and  downcast  eyes. 

We  may  discern — unseen  before — 
A  path  to  higher  destinies. 

Nor  deem  the  irrevocable  Past 
As  wholly  wasted,  wholly  vain, 


138  STUDIES  IN  READING 

If,  rising  on  its  wrecks,  at  last 
To  something  nobler  we  attain. 

— Henry    Wadsworth   Longfellow. 

NOTES 

1.  Tennyson,  in  his  first  stanza  of  In  Memoriam,  has  a  similar 

thought : 

I  hold  it  truth,  with  him  who  sings 
To  one  clear  harp  in  divers  tones. 
That  men  may  rise  on  stepping-stones 

Of  their  dead  selves  to  higher  things. 

2.  J.  G.  Holland,  in  his  poem  Oradatim,  has  the  same  thought: 

Heaven  is  not  reached  at  a  single  bound ; 
But  we  build  the  ladder  by  which  we  rise 
From  the  lowly  earth  to  the  vaulted  skies, 

And  we  mount  to  its  summit  round  by  round. 

We  rise  by  the  things  that  are  under  feet ; 

By  what  we  have  mastered  of  good  or  gain ; 

By  the  pride  deposed  and  the  passion  slain, 
And  the  vanquished  ills  that  we  hourly  meet. 

3.  Eminent  domain.     The  right  of  a  government  or  state  to  use 

any  property  necessary  for  public  use,  reasonable  compensa- 
tion being  made. 

4.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following:     base  de- 

sign, revel,  excess,  ignoble,  irreverence,  impedes,  eminent 
domain,  scale,  gigantic  flights,  solid  bastions,  attained,  dis- 
cern. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Upon  what  saying  did  Longfellow  base  this  poem? 

2.  What  in  the  life  of  Saint  Augustine  gave  this  saying  so  much 

force? 

3.  What  vices  does  Longfellow  say  must  be  trampled  under  foot? 

4.  Explain  "The  right  of  eminent  domain,"  as  here  used. 
6.  Explain  stanza  7. 


THE  LADDER  OF  SAINT  AUGUSTINE    139 


6.  What  two  illustrations  are  given  in  stanzas  8  and  9? 

7.  Memorize  stanza  10. 

8.  How  may  each  of  us  discover  "A  path  to  higher  destinies"? 

9.  How    only    can    we    keep    the    irrevocable    past    from    being 

thwarted  ? 

10.  Does  this  poem  mean  that  if  a  person  wishes  to  be  very  good 

he  must  first  be  very  bad  ? 

11.  What  then  seems  to  you  to  be  the  real  meaning  of  the  poem? 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Smiles:   Self  Help.  Character. 
Emerson  :   Essays  —  Conduct  of  Life. 
Longfellow:  The  Builders.  Excelsior.  Keramos. 
Holland:   Gradatim. 
Emerson  :  The  Problem. 
Arnold:   Self-Dependence. 
Tennyson  :  Sir  Galahad. 
Chester  :  The  Tapestry  Weavers. 


PATRIOTISM 

And  Thou,  O  God,  of  whom  we  hold 

Our  country  and  our  Freedom  fair. 
Within  Thy  tender  love  enfold 

This  land;  for  all  Thy  people  care. 
Uplift  our  hearts  above  our  fortunes  high. 

Let  not  the  good  we  have  make  us  forget 
The  better  things  that  in  Thy  heavens  lie! 

Keep,  still,  amid  the  fever  and  the  fret 
Of  all  this  eager  life,  our  thoughts  on  Thee, 

The  Hope,  the  Strength,  the  God  of  all  the  Free. 
— Bishop  J.  L.  Spalding. 


THE  MOUNTAIN  OF  MISERIES 

lyf  R.  LONGFELLOW  once  wrote  an  ex- 
quisite  poem  in  which  he  tells  us  of  the 
sweet  relief  from  pain  he  experienced  when  he 
assumed  some  of  the  "sorrow  of  others"  instead 
of  brooding  over  his  own.  This  healing  he  tells 
us  was  made  possible  by  the  discovery  that  each 
heart  has  its  own  sorrow.  As  he  beautifully  ex- 
presses it, 

"And  I  thought  how  many  thousands 
Of  care-encumbered  men, 
Each  bearing  his  burden  of  sorrow. 
Have  crossed  the  bridge  since  then." 

The  good  poet's  experience  has  been  that  of 
thousands  who  have  lived  before  and  after  him. 

Having  noticed  this  same  lesson,  that  each 
heart  has  a  burden  of  its  own,  Joseph  Addison, 
the  graceful,  gentle  English  essayist  teaches  us 
a  valuable  lesson  by  viewing  the  bearing  of 
others'  sorrows  from  a  somewhat  different  angle. 
In  the  following  selection,  the  assumption  of 
the  cast  off  burdens  is  from  a  purely  mercenary 
motive. 

It  is  pleasant  to  be  taught  a  severe  philosophy 

140 


THE  MOUNTAIN  OF  MISERIES  141 

by  being  made  to  laugh  at  our  own  follies. 
This  is  what  Addison  attempts  to  do  in  this 
reading. 

THE  MOUNTAIN  OF  MISERIES 

It  is  a  celebrated  thought  of  Socrates,  that  if 
all  the  misfortunes  of  mankind  were  cast  into  a 
public  stock,  in  order  to  be  equally  distributed 
among  the  whole  species,  those  who  now  think 
themselves  the  most  unhappy,  would  prefer  the 
share  they  are  already  possessed  of,  before  that 
which  would  fall  to  them  by  such  a  division.  Hor- 
ace has  carried  this  thought  a  great  deal  further, 
which  implies,  that  the  hardships  or  misfortunes 
we  lie  under,  are  more  easy  to  us  than  those  of  any 
other  person  would  be,  in  case  we  could  exchange 
conditions  with  him. 

As  I  was  musing  upon  these  two  remarks,  and 
seated  in  my  elbow  chair,  I  insensibly  fell  asleep; 
when,  on  a  sudden,  methought  there  was  a  procla- 
mation made  by  Jupiter,  that  every  mortal  should 
bring  in  his  griefs  and  calamities,  and  throw  them 
together  in  a  heap. 

There  was  a  large  plain  appointed  for  this  pur- 
pose. I  took  my  stand  in  the  center  of  it,  and 
saw,  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure,  the  whole 
human  species  marching  one  after  another,  and 
throwing  down  their  several  loads,  which  imme- 
diately grew  up  into  a  prodigious  mountain,  that 
seemed  to  rise  above  the  clouds. 


142  STUDIES  IN  READING 

There  was  a  certain  lady  of  a  thin  airy  shape, 
who  was  very  active  in  this  solemnity.  She  carried 
a  magnifying  glass  in  one  of  her  hands,  and  was 
clothed  in  a  loose  flowing  robe,  embroidered  with 
several  figures  of  fiends  and  specters  that  discov- 
ered themselves  in  a  thousand  chimerical  shapes, 
as  her  garment  hovered  in  the  wind.  There  was 
something  wild  and  distracted  in  her  looks.  Her 
name  was  Fancy.  She  led  up  every  mortal  to 
the  appointed  place,  after  having  very  officiously 
assisted  him  in  making  up  his  pack,  and  laying  it 
upon  his  shoulders.  My  heart  melted  within  me 
to  see  my  fellow-creatures  groaning  under  their 
respective  burdens,  and  to  consider  that  prodigious 
bulk  of  human  calamities  which  lay  before  me. 

There  were,  however,  several  persons  who  gave 
me  great  diversion  upon  this  occasion.  I  observed 
one  bringing  in  a  fardel  very  carefully  concealed 
under  an  old  embroidered  cloak,  which,  upon  his 
throwing  it  into  the  heap,  I  discovered  to  be  Pov- 
erty. Another,  after  a  great  deal  of  puffing,  threw 
down  his  luggage,  which,  upon  examining,  I  found 
to  be  his  wife. 

There  were  multitudes  of  lovers  saddled  with 
very  whimsical  burdens  composed  of  darts  and 
flames;  but  what  was  very  odd,  though  they  sighed 
as  if  their  hearts  would  break  under  these  bundles 
of  calamities,  they  could  not  persuade  themselves 
to  cast  them  into  the  heap  when  they  came  up  to 
it;  but  after  a  few  faint  efforts,  shook  their  heads 
and  marched  away  as  heavy  laden  as  they  came. 


THE  MOUNTAIN  OF  MISERIES  143 

I  saw  multitudes  of  old  women  throw  down  their 
wrinkles,  and  several  young  ones  who  stripped 
themselves  of  a  tawny  skin.  There  were  very 
great  heaps  of  red  noses,  large  lips,  and  rusty 
teeth. 

The  truth  of  it  is,  I  was  surprised  to  see  the 
greatest  part  of  the  mountain  made  up  of  bodily 
deformities.  Observing  one  advancing  toward  the 
heap,  with  a  larger  cargo  than  ordinary  upon  his 
back,  I  found,  upon  his  near  approach,  that  it  was 
only  a  natural  hump,  which  he  disposed  of  with 
great  joy  of  heart,  among  this  collection  of  hu- 
man miseries.  There  were  likewise  distempers 
of  all  sorts,  though  I  could  not  but  observe,  that 
there  were  many  more  imaginary  than  real. 

One  little  packet  I  could  not  but  take  notice  of, 
which  was  a  complication  of  all  the  diseases  in- 
cident to  human  nature,  and  was  in  the  hand  of 
a  great  many  fine  people;  this  was  called  the 
Spleen,  But  what  most  of  all  surprised  me  was 
a  remark  I  made,  that  there  was  not  a  single  vice 
or  folly  thrown  into  the  whole  heap;  at  which  I 
was  very  much  astonished,  having  concluded 
within  myself,  that  every  one  would  take  this  op- 
portunit}'^  of  getting  rid  of  his  passions,  prejudices, 
and  frailties. 

I  took  notice  in  particular  of  a  very  profligate 
fellow,  who  I  did  not  question  came  loaded  with 
his  crimes;  but  upon  searching  into  his  bundle,  I 
found  that,  instead  of  throwing  his  guilt  from 
him,  he  had  only  laid  down  his  memory.    He  was 


144  STUDIES  IN  READING 

followed  by  another  worthless  rogue,  who  flung 
away  his  modesty  instead  of  his  ignorance. 

When  the  whole  race  of  mankind  had  thus  cast 
their  burdens,  the  phantom  which  had  been  so 
busy  on  this  occasion,  seeing  me  an  idle  spectator 
of  what  passed,  approached  toward  me.  I  grew 
uneasy  at  her  presence,  when,  of  a  sudden,  she 
held  her  magnifying  glass  full  before  my  eyes.  I 
no  sooner  saw  my  face  in  it,  but  was  startled  at 
the  shortness  of  it,  which  now  appeared  to  me  in 
its  utmost  aggravation.  The  immoderate  breadth 
of  the  features  made  me  very  much  out  of  humor 
with  my  own  countenance;  upon  which  I  threw 
it  from  me  like  a  mask.  It  happened  very  luckily, 
that  one  who  stood  by  me  had  just  before  thrown 
down  his  visage,  which  it  seems,  was  too  long  for 
him.  It  was  indeed  extended  to  a  most  shame- 
ful length;  I  believe  the  very  chin  was,  modestly 
speaking,  as  long  as  my  whole  face. 

We  had  both  of  us  an  opportunity  of  mending 
ourselves;  and  all  the  contributions  being  now 
brought  in,  every  man  was  at  liberty  to  exchange 
his  misfortunes  for  those  of  another  person.  I 
saw,  with  unspeakable  pleasure,  the  whole  species 
thus  delivered  from  its  sorrow;  though  at  the  same 
time,  as  we  stood  round  the  heap,  and  surveyed 
the  several  materials  of  which  it  was  composed, 
there  was  scarcely  a  mortal,  in  this  vast  multi- 
tude, who  did  not  discover  what  he  thought  pleas- 
ures and  blessings  of  life;  and  wondered  how  the 


THE  MOUNTAIN  OF  MISERIES  145 

owners  of  them  ever  came  to  look  upon  them  as 
burdens  and  grievances. 

As  we  were  regarding  very  attentively  this  con- 
fusion of  miseries,  this  chaos  of  calamity,  Jupi- 
ter issued  out  a  second  proclamation,  that  every 
one  was  now  at  liberty  to  exchange  his  affliction, 
and  to  return  to  his  habitation  with  any  such  other 
bundle  as  should  be  delivered  to  him.  Upon  this. 
Fancy  began  again  to  bestir  herself;  and  parceling 
out  the  whole  heap  with  incredible  activity,  recom- 
mended to  every  one  his  particular  packet. 

The  hurry  and  confusion  at  this  time  was  not 
to  be  expressed.  Some  observations  which  I  made 
upon  the  occasion  I  shall  communicate  to  the  pub- 
lic. A  poor  galley  slave,  who  had  thrown  down 
his  chains,  took  up  the  gout  in  their  stead,  but 
made  such  wry  faces,  that  one  might  easily  per- 
ceive he  was  no  great  gainer  by  the  bargain.  It 
was  pleasant  enough  to  see  the  several  exchanges 
that  were  made,  for  sickness  against  poverty,  hun- 
ger against  want  of  appetite,  and  care  against 
pain. 

The  female  world  were  busy  among  themselves 
in  bartering  for  features;  one  was  trucking  a  lock 
of  gray  hairs  for  a  carbuncle ;  another  was  making 
over  a  short  waist  for  a  pair  of  round  shoulders; 
and  a  third  cheapening  a  bad  face  for  a  lost  repu- 
tation; but  on  all  these  occasions  there  was  not 
one  of  them  who  did  not  think  the  new  blemish, 
as  soon  as  she  had  got  it  into  her  possession,  much 
more  disagreeable  than  the  old  one.     I  made  the 


146  STUDIES  IN  READING 

same  observation  on  every  other  misfortune  or 
calamity,  which  every  one  in  the  assembly  brought 
upon  himself  in  lieu  of  what  he  had  parted  with; 
whether  it  be  that  all  the  evils  which  befall  us 
are  in  some  measure  suited  and  proportioned  to 
our  strength,  or  that  every  evil  becomes  more  sup- 
portable by  our  being  accustomed  to  it,  I  shall  not 
determine. 

I  must  not  omit  my  own  particular  adventure. 
My  friend  with  a  long  visage  had  no  sooner  taken 
upon  him  my  short  face,  but  he  made  such  a 
grotesque  figure  in  it,  that  as  I  looked  upon  him 
I  could  not  forbear  laughing  at  myself,  insomuch 
that  I  put  my  own  face  out  of  countenance.  The 
poor  gentleman  was  so  sensible  of  the  ridicule, 
that  I  found  he  was  ashamed  of  what  he  had 
done;  on  the  other  side  I  found  that  I  myself  had 
no  great  reason  to  triumph,  for  as  I  went  to  touch 
my  forehead  I  missed  the  place,  and  clapped 
my  finger  upon  my  upper  lip.  Besides,  as  my  nose 
was  exceeding  prominent,  I  gave  it  two  or  three 
unlucky  knocks  as  I  was  playing  my  hand  about 
my  face,  and  aiming  at  some  other  part  of  it.  1 
saw  two  other  gentlemen  by  me,  who  were  in  the 
same  ridiculous  circumstances. 

The  heap  was  at  last  distributed  among  the 
two  sexes,  who  made  a  most  piteous  sight,  as  they 
wandered  up  and  down  under  the  pressure  of 
their  several  burdens.  The  whole  plain  was  filled 
with  murmurs  and  complaints,  groans,  and  lamen- 
tations.   Jupiter,  at  length,  taking  compassion  on 


THE  MOUNTAIN  OF  MISERIES  147 

the  poor  mortals,  ordered  them  a  second  time  to 
lay  down  their  loads,  with  a  design  to  give  every 
one  his  own  again.  They  discharged  themselves 
with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure;  after  which,  the 
phantom,  who  had  led  them  into  such  gross  de- 
lusions, was  commanded  to  disappear. 

There  was  sent  in  her  stead  a  goddess  of  a  quite 
different  figure,  her  motions  were  steady  and  com- 
posed, and  her  aspect  serious  but  cheerful.  She 
every  now  and  then  cast  her  eyes  toward  heaven, 
and  fixed  them  upon  Jupiter.  Her  name  was  Pa- 
tience. She  had  no  sooner  placed  herself  by  the 
mount  of  sorrows,  but  what  I  thought  very  re- 
markable, the  whole  heap  sunk  to  such  a  degree, 
that  it  did  not  appear  a  third  part  so  big  as  it  was 
before.  She  afterwards  returned  every  man  his 
own  proper  calamity;  and  teaching  him  how  to 
bear  it  in  the  most  commodious  manner,  he 
marched  off  with  it  contentedly,  being  very  well 
pleased  that  he  had  not  been  left  to  his  own  choice, 
as  to  the  kind  of  evils  which  fell  to  his  lot. 

Besides  the  several  pieces  of  morality  to  be 
drawn  out  of  this  vision,  I  learned  from  it  never  to 
repine  at  my  own  misfortunes,  or  to  envy  the  hap- 
piness of  another,  since  it  is  impossible  for  any 
man  to  form  a  right  judgment  of  his  neighbor's 
sufferings;  for  which  reason  also  I  have  deter- 
mined never  to  think  too  lightly  of  another's  com- 
plaints, but  to  regard  the  sorrows  of  my  fellow- 
creatures  with  sentiments  of  humanity  and  com- 
passion. — Joseph  Addison. 


148  STUDIES  IN  READING 


NOTES 

1.  Read  in  some  history  of  English  literature  the  story  of  Addi- 

son's connection  with  the  Spectator  and  with  the  Tatler. 

2.  Read  Franklin's  "How  I  Learned  to  Write  Good  English." 

3.  Learn  who  Jupiter,  Socrates,  and  Horace  were. 

4.  Notice  the  scarcity  of  long,  hard  words  in  this  selection, 

6.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 
expressions:  chimerical,  diversion,  fardel,  aggravation, 
chaos,  grotesque,  commodious,  and  trucking. 

EXERCISES 

1.  What  inference  do  you  draw  from  the  fact  that  Addison  was 

familiar  with  the  writings  of  Socrates  and  Horace? 

2.  Why  should  the  miseries  make  a  mountain? 

3.  Does  Fancy  ever  do  for  us  just  what  Addison   pictures  her 

doing  here? 

4.  Why  was  it  diverting  to  see  the  man  throw  away  his  poverty  ? 

5.  Why  should  the  man  cast  away  his  wife  ? 

6.  Why  could  not  the  lovers  cast  away  their  sorrows? 

7.  Why  should  such  a  mountain  be  made  up  of  bodily  deformi- 

ties? 

8.  What  is  the  inference  if  no  vices  or  follies  were  found  in  the 

heap? 

9.  What  does  Addison  mean  when  he  tells  us  Fancy  carried  a 

magnifying  glass? 

10.  When  he  says  she  held  this  glass  up  to  him? 

11.  Why  does  he  picture  himself  in  the  ridiculous  plight  he  does? 

12.  Sum  up  the  teaching  when  the  people  take  up  the  cast-otf  mis- 

eries of  others. 

13.  Why  would  Patience  cause  the  mountain  to  grow  smaller? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

BuNYAN :   Pilgrim's  Progress. 

Hunt  :  Abou  Ben  Adhem. 

Gilder  :  Tlie  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

Whittier  :  The  Brother  of  Mercy. 

Longfellow  :  Santa  Filomena. 

Lowell  :  Vision  of  Sir  Launfal. 

Matthew  xxv,  34-40. 

Luke  x,  25-37 :  Story  of  the  Good  Samaritan. 


THE   GLOVE   AND   THE   LIONS 

np  HE  great  French  King,  surrounded  by  his 
nobles  and  ladies  of  the  court,  was  watch- 
ing the  lions  fighting  in  the  arena  below.  De 
Lorge,  one  of  the  bravest  of  the  noblemen,  had 
fallen  in  love  with  one  of  the  ladies,  and  she 
thought  to  test  his  love  by  dropping  her  glove 
among  the  fierce  wild  beasts.  If  De  Lorge  were 
a  true  knight  he  would  be  expected,  in  that  day 
of  chivalry,  to  risk  his  own  life  in  order  to  re- 
cover the  glove,  and  to  return  it  to  his  fair  lady. 
The  story  of  how  this  knight's  love  was  tested  in 
the  presence  of  the  king  who  loved  a  royal  sport 
is  here  told. 

THE  GLOVE  AND  THE  LIONS 

King  Francis  was  a  hearty  king,  and  loved  a  royal 
sport, 

And  one  day,  as  his  lions  fought,  sat  looking  on 
the  court; 

The  nobles  filled  the  benches,  with  the  ladies  in 
their  pride, 

And  'mongst  them  sat  the  Count  de  Lorge  with 
one  for  whom  he  sighed: 

And  truly  't  was  a  gallant  thing  to  see  that  crown- 
ing show, — 

149 


150  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Valor  and  love,  and  a  king  above,  and  the  royal 
beasts  below. 

Ramped  and  roared  the  lions,  with  horrid  laugh- 
ing jaws: 

They  bit,  they  glared,  gave  blows  like  beams,  a 
wind  went  with  their  paws; 

With  wallowing  might  and  stifled  roar  they  rolled 
on  one  another, 

Till  all  the  pit,  with  sand  and  mane,  was  in  a 
thunderous  smother; 

The  bloody  foam  above  the  bars  came  whisking 
through  the  air: 

Said  Francis  then,  "Faith,  gentlemen,  we're  better 
here  than  there!" 

De  Lorge's  love  o'erheard  the  king, — a  beauteous, 

lively  dame, 
With  smiling  lips  and  sharp,  bright  eyes,  which 

always  seemed  the  same: 
She  thought,  "The  Count,  my  lover,  is  brave  as 

brave  can  be, — 
He  surely  would  do  wondrous  things  to  show  his 

love  for  me. 
King,  ladies,  lovers,  all  look  on;  the  occasion  is 

divine; 
ril  drop  my  glove  to  prove  his  love;  great  glory 

will  be  mine." 

She  dropped  her  glove  to  prove  his  love,  then 
looked  at  him  and  smiled; 


THE   GLOVE   AND   THE   LIONS  151 

He  bowed,  and  in  a  moment  leaped  among  the 

lions  wild; 
The  leap  was  quick,  return  was  quick;  he  has 

regained  his  place. 
Then  threw  the  glove,  but  not  with  love,  right  in 

the  lady's  face. 
"In  faith,"  cried  Francis,  "rightly  done!"  and  he 

rose  from  where  he  sat; 
"No  love,"  quoth  he,  "but  vanity,  sets  love  a  task 

like  that." 

— James  Henry  Leigh  Hunt. 

NOTES 

1.  Look  up  all  you  can  of  chivalry  and  knighthood. 

2.  Arena.     An  arena  is  the  open  space  on  the  ground  below  the 

raised  benches.  Find  just  how  the  arena  was  arranged  for 
the  fight  of  wild  beasts.  The  story  is  based  upon  an  event 
which  actually  took  place. 

3.  Look  up  the  following  words  and  expressions :     gallant,  crown- 

ing show,  valor,  ramped,  wallowing  might,  pit,  occasion, 
vanity. 

EXERCISES 

\.  Why  is  the  fighting  of  this  fierce  beast  called  a  royal  sport? 

2.  What  is  shown  of  the  king  in  that  he  loved  such  amusements? 

3.  Describe  the  picture  of  the  arena  and  spectators  as  it  is  given 

us  in  the  first  stanza. 

4.  Who  was  the  central  figure  among  the  nobles  in  the  court  ? 

5.  Select  the  passage  which  tells  us  of  the  fierce  fight  of  the  lions. 

6.  What  caused  the  king  to  say  we  are  better  here  than  there  ? 

7.  What  is  shown  of  De  Lorge's  lady  in  stanza  3  ? 

8.  Explain  her  meaning  of  "occasion  is  divine." 

9.  What  did  she  mean  by  "great  glory  will  be  mine"  ? 

10.  What  is  shown  of  De  Lorge  in  the  second  and  third  lines. of 

the  last  stanza? 

11.  Why  did  he  throw  the  glove  right  in  the  lady's  face? 

12.  Explain,  "but  not  with  love." 


152  STUDIES  IN  READING 

13.  Why  did  De  Lorge  do  such  an  ungentlemanly  thing? 

14.  Why  did  the  king  rise  from  where  he  sat? 

15.  Why  did  the  king  who  loved  royal  sport  condemn  the  act  of 

this  lady? 

16.  Explain  the  meaning  of  the  last  line  of  this  poem. 

17.  According  to  this  poem  what  is  shown  to  be  a  false  test  of 

love  ?    Why  is  such  a  test  a  false  test? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Lady  Carew  :  True  Greatness. 

Browning:   Count  Gismond.   Last   Ride   Together.   Incident  of  a 

French  Camp. 
Reade:  The  Cloister  and  the  Hearth. 
Taylor:  The  Hero. 
Tennyson  :  The  Revenge. 
Prince  :  Who  Are  the  True  ? 
NiMMO  F.  Green:  VVith  Spurs  of  Gold. 


HOW  SLEEP  THE  BRAVE 
How  sleep  the  brave,  who  sink  to  rest 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blessed! 
When  Spring,  with  dewy  fingers  cold. 
Returns  to  deck  their  hallowed  mould, 
She  there  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Than  Fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod. 

By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung; 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung; 
There  Honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray. 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay; 
And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair. 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there! 

— William  Collins, 


THE  SHEPHERD  OF  KING  ADMETUS 

A  MONG  the  ancient  peoples,  there  is  a 
beautiful  legend  which  tells  how  the  god 
Apollo  was  condemned  to  serve  a  mortal  for  the 
space  of  a  year.  It  happened  that  there  was  a 
renowned  physician,  Esculapius,  son  of  Apollo, 
who  was  believed  to  be  able  to  cure  any  disease 
known  to  mortals.  On  one  occasion,  he  even 
brought  the  dead  to  life.  This  so  incensed  Pluto, 
the  god  of  the  underworld,  that  he  induced  the 
great  god  Jupiter  to  strike  the  bold  physician 
dead  with  a  thunderbolt.  Apollo,  angered  at 
this  cruel  destruction  of  his  son,  shot  his  arrows 
at  the  Cyclopes  who  made  the  thunderbolt  for 
Jupiter  in  their  fiery  workshop  under  Mt.  ^tna, 
from  which  the  smoke  and  flames  of  their 
furnace  are  constantly  issuing.  Jupiter  was  so 
angered  at  this  act  that  he  condemned  Apollo 
to  serve  a  mortal  for  a  year.  Apollo  accord- 
ingly went  into  the  service  of  Admetus,  king 
of  Thessaly,  and  herded  the  king's  flocks  for 
him.  How  this  beautiful  god  lived  among  men, 
and  what  they  thought  of  him  is  well  told  in  the 
following  poem. 

133 


154  STUDIES  IN  READING 

THE  SHEPHERD  OF  KING  ADMETUS* 
There  came  a  youth  upon  the  earth. 

Some  thousand  years  ago, 
Whose  slender  hands  were  nothing  worth. 

Whether  to  plow,  or  reap,  or  sow. 

Upon  an  empty  tortoise-shell 

He  stretched  some  chords,  and  drew 

Music  that  made  men's  bosoms  swell 

Fearless,  or  brimmed  their  eyes  with  dew. 

Then  King  Admetus,  one  who  had 

Pure  taste  by  right  divine. 
Decreed  his  singing  not  too  bad 

To  hear  between  the  cups  of  wine : 

And  so,  well-pleased  with  being  soothed 

Into  a  sweet  half-sleep. 
Three  times  his  kingly  beard  he  smoothed 

And  made  him  viceroy  o'er  his  sheep. 

His  words  were  simple  words  enough, 

And  yet  he  used  them  so. 
That  what  in  other  mouths  was  rough 

In  his  seemed  musical  and  low. 

Men  called  him  but  a  shiftless  youth. 

In  whom  no  good  they  saw; 
And  yet,  unwittingly,  in  truth. 

They  made  his  careless  words  their  law. 

*Used  by  permission  of,  and  by  spoeial  nrranj?ement  with,  the 
authorized  publishers,  Houghton  Mifflin  Company. 


Good  Shepherd — Murillo 


156  STUDIES  IN  READING 

They  knew  not  how  he  learned  at  all. 

For  idly,  hour  by  hour, 
He  sat  and  watched  the  dead  leaves  fall. 

Or  mused  upon  a  common  flower. 

It  seemed  the  loveliness  of  things. 

Did  teach  him  all  their  use. 
For  in  mere  weeds,  and  stones  and  springs. 

He  found  a  healing  power  profuse. 

Men  granted  that  his  speech  was  wise. 

But,  when  a  glance  they  caught 
Of  his  slim  grace  and  woman's  eyes. 

They  laughed,  and  called  him  good-for-naught. 

Yet,  after  he  was  dead  and  gone, 

And  e'en  his  memory  dim. 
Earth  seemed  more  sweet  to  live  upon. 

More  full  of  love,  because  of  him. 

And  day  by  day  more  holy  grew 

Each  spot  where  he  had  trod. 
Till  after-poets  only  knew 

Their  first-born  brother  as  a  god. 

— James  Russell  Lowell, 

NOTES 

1.  King  Admetus  (jldme'tus).     Tlie  fabled  Kinjx  of  Thessaly  in 

northern  Greece. 

2.  Apollo.     Phoebus  Apollo,  the  son  of   Jupiter  and  Latona,  was 

the  god  of  the  sun,  patron  of  music  and  poetry,  founder  of 
cities,  a  promoter  of  colonization,  a  giver  of  good  laws,  the 
ideal  of  fair  and  manly  youth,  a  pure  and  just  god,  requir- 
ing clean  hands  and  pure  hearts  of  those  that  worshiped 
him.     He  was  one  of  the  most  beloved  of  the  gods. 


THE  SHEPHERD  OF  KING  ADMETUS     157 

3.  Esculapius  (es' ku-la' pi-t(s) .  The  father  of  physicians.  His 
daughter  Hygiea,  the  goddess  of  health,  was  one  whose 
presence  prevented  disease.     Hence  our   word  "hygiene." 

'4.  Right  divine.  The  ancient  kings  believed  their  powers  were 
derived  from  the  gods,  hence  they  ruled  by  divine  right. 

5.  Viceroy.     One  acting  or  ruling  in  place  of  king. 

6.  Be  prepared  to  pronounce,  spell,  and  give  meaning  of  am'^  of 

the  following:  nothing  worth,  brimmed,  pure  taste,  right 
divine,  decreed,  viceroy,  shiftless,  unwittingly,  mused,  mere, 
profuse,  slim  grace,  good-for-naught. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Upon  what  ancient  story  did  Lowell  base  this  poem? 

2.  What  conclusion  as  to  the  time  of  this  story  from  "Some  thou- 

sand years  ago"? 

3.  What  shows  his  power  as  a  musician? 

4.  What  compliment  was  paid  the  youth's  music  by  the  king? 

5.  What  final  honor  did  the  king  bestow  upon  the  youth? 

6.  How,  in  words,  did  men  estimate  the  young  shepherd  ? 

7.  What  effect,  however,  did  the  young  shepherd  have  on  men's 

actions  ? 

8.  What  puzzled  them  so   much   regarding  his   learning?     How 

learned  was  he  ? 
J).  Why  did  men  call  him  "good-for-naught"  when  his  words  were 
so  wise? 

10.  What  effect  had  the  young  shepherd's  life  had  upon  ordinary 

earth  life? 

11.  Explain  "More  holy  grew  each  spot  where  he  had  trod." 

12.  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  last  two  lines  ? 

13.  What  was  the  secret  of  the  influence  of  the  young  shepherd? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Gayley:   Classic  Myths,  pp.  104-6. 

Hunt  :  Abou  Ben  Adhem. 

Longfellow:  The  Legend  Beautiful.  Sandalphon. 

WiiiTTiER :   The  Brother  of  Mercy. 


158  STUDIES  IN  READING 

The  Bible  :   Story  of  David. 

Tennyson  :  The  Bugle  Song. 

Moore:  Echoes. 

Lowell  :  The  Finding  of  the  Lyre. 

Helen  Hunt  Jackson  :  The  Good  Shepherd. 


WASHINGTON 


Washington  is  the  mightiest  name  on  earth,  long 
since  mightiest  in  the  cause  of  civil  liberty,  still 
mightiest  in  moral  reformation.  On  that  name 
a  eulogy  is  expected.  It  cannot  be.  To  add  bright- 
ness to  the  sun  or  glory  to  the  name  of  Wash- 
ington is  alike  impossible.  Let  none  attempt  it. 
In  solemn  awe  pronounce  the  name,  and  in  its 
naked,  deathless  splendor  leave  it  shining  on. — 
Abraham  Lincoln. 


WASHINGTON 

Where  may   the  wearied   eye  repose. 

When  gazing  on  the  great. 
Where  neither  guilty  glory  glows. 

Nor  despicable  state? 
Yes,  one, — the  first,  the  last,  the  best, — 
The  Cincinnatus  of  the  West, 

Whom  envy  dared  not  hate. 
Bequeathed  the  name  of  Washington, 
To  make  man  blush  there  was  but  one. 

— George  Gordon  Byron. 


CONSTANT    CHRISTMAS 

TT  is  the  custom  to  celebrate  Christmas  but 
one  day  in  the  year.  We  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  think  that  the  Christmas  message  of 
old  is  the  only  Christmas  message  given  to  the 
peoples  of  earth.  Phillips  Brooks,  with  deeper 
insight,  gave  us  this  message  to  remind  us  that 
every  day  should  be  lived  in  the  spirit  of  Christ- 
mas; that  the  song  of  the  angels  is  a  "never  silent 
song;"  and  that  "the  glory  of  the  Lord"  which 
shone  round  about  the  shepherds  of  the  hills  still 
shines  in  the  never-fading  splendor  of  sun  and 
stars.  All  life  that  strives  through  love  and  serv- 
ice toward  the  highest  and  best  may  hear  con- 
tinually the  echo  of  the  glad  angels'  song, 

"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest. 
And  on  earth,  peace,  good  will  toward  men." 

CONSTANT  CHRISTMAS* 
The  sky  can  still  remember 

The  earliest  Christmas  morn. 
When  in  the  cold  December 

The  Saviour  Christ  was  born. 
And  still  in  darkness  clouded. 

And  still  in  noonday  light. 


*Used  by  the  courteous  permission  of  the  publishers,  E.  P.  Dut- 
ton  &  Co. 

159 


160  STUDIES  IN  READING 

It  feels  its  far  depth  crowded 
With  angels  fair  and  bright. 

0  never-fading  splendor; 

O  never-silent  song! 
Still  keep  the  green  earth  tender, 

Still  keep  the  grey  earth  strong; 
Still  keep  the  brave  earth  dreaming 

Of  deeds  that  shall  be  done. 
While  children's  lives  come  streaming 

Like  sunbeams  from  the  sun. 

No  star  unfolds  its  glory. 

No  trumpet  wind  is  blown, 
But  tells  the  Christmas  story 

In  music  of  its  own. 
No  eager  strife  of  mortals 

In  busy  field  or  town 
But  sees  the  open  portals 

Through  which  the  Christ  came  down. 

O  angels  sweet  and  splendid, 

Throng  in  our  hearts  and  sing 
The  wonders  which  attended 

The  coming  of  the  king, 
Till  we,  too,  boldly  pressing 

Where  once  the  angels  trod. 
Climb  Bethlehem's  hill  of  blessing. 

And  find  the  Son  of  God. 

— Phillips  Brooks. 


CONSTANT   CHRISTMAS  161 


NOTES 

1.  Read  Luke  ii,  1-20;  Matthew  ii,  1-12  for  the  complete  story  of 

the  Christmas  song. 

2.  Find  the  story  of  the  origin  of  Christmas  as  we  celebrate  it 

to-day. 

3.  Find  how  Christmas  is  celebrated  in  other  lands.     Tell  what 

quaint  customs  you  find. 

4.  Report  to  the  class  the  acts  of  service  and  charity  you  have 

known  at  Christmastide. 

5.  Cold  December.     The  birth  of  Christ  was  at  first  thought  to 

have  occurred  in  December,  hence  the  Christmas  festival  was 
celebrated  toward  the  close  of  that  month.  Present-day  stu- 
dents think  Christ  must  have  been  born  some  time  in  the 
spring  when  the  Aveather  was  warm  enough  for  the  shepherds 
to  stay  out  in  the  open  fields  with  the  flocks. 

6.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions  as  here  used:  far  depth,  never-fading  splendor, 
trumpet  wind,  eager  strife,  mortals,  open  portals,  splendid, 
throng,  wonders,  boldly  pressing,  trod,  hill  of  blessing. 


EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  the  story  upon  which  this  poem  is  based. 

2.  Explain  "The  sky  can  still  remember." 

3.  In  what  sense  does  the  sky  feel  its  far  depth  crowded  with 

angels  ? 

4.  What  is  the  "never-fading  splendor"  ? 

5.  Why  is  the  angel-song  said  to  be  "never-silent"  ? 

G.  In  what  sense  can  the  splendor  and  the  song  "keep  the  green 
earth  tender"  ? 

7.  How  "keep  the  grey  earth  strong"? 

8.  How 

"Keep  the  brave  earth  dreaming 
Of  deeds  that  shall  be  done"? 

9.  Explain  the  first  four  lines  of  the  third  stanza. 

10.  What  are  the  "open  portals"? 

11.  How  can  the  angels  "throng  in  our  hearts"? 

12.  In  what  sense  can  mortals  be  "boldly  pressing  where  once  the 

angels  trod"? 


162  STUDIES  IN  READING 

13.  What  is  meant  by  climbing  "Bethlehem's  hill  of  blessing"? 

14.  According  to  this  poem,  how  then  can  mortals  to-day  find  God  ? 

15.  What  now  seems  to  you  to  be  the  real  meaning  of  the  title  of 

this  poem? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Brooks:   O  Little  Town  of  Bethlehem. 

Longfellow  :   Christmas  Bells.  The  Three  Kings. 

Lowell  :  A  Christmas  Carol. 

Holland  :  A  Christmas  Carol. 

Sears  :  The  Angels'  Song. 

Alice  Cary  :  A  Christmas  Story. 

Dickens:  Christmas  Carol. 

WiGGiN :  The  Glad  Evangel. 

Field:   Christmas  Eve.  Why  Do  Bells  for  Christmas  Ring? 

A  Christmas  Wish. 

Ryan  :  A  Christmas  Carol. 

Milton  :  Hymn  to  the  Nativity. 

Tennyson:  The  Birth  of  Christ. 

Whittier:   Star  of  Bethlehem.  Christmas  Carmen. 

Turing  :  Hymn  for  the  Nativity. 

Alcott:   Becky's  Christmas  Dream. 

Christina  G.  Rossetti:  A  Christmas  Carol. 

Riley:   Tiny  Tim's  Prayer. 

Aldricii  :   A  Christmas  Phantasy. 

Van  Dyke:   The  First  Christmas  Troo.  The  Other  Wise  Man. 

Stevenson:  A  Christmas  Sermon. 


NO  HARM  CAN  COME 

And  so  beside  the  Silent  Sea 

I  wait  the  muffled  oar; 
No  harm  from  Him  can  come  to  me 

On  ocean  or  on  shore. 

I  know  not  where  His  islands  lift 

Their  fronded  palms  in  air; 
I  only  know  I  can  not  drift 

Beyond  His  love  and  care. 

— John  Greenleaf  Whittier. 


THE    BISHOP    AND    THE    CONVICT 

WT  E  are  always  interested  in  knowing  how  a 
saintly  man  remains  a  saint  under  trying 
circumstances.  Such  a  story  is  told  us  in  this 
extract  from  "Les  JNIiserables,"  the  masterpiece 
of  the  great  French  author,  Victor  Hugo.  The 
purpose  of  the  author  in  writing  *'Les  Miser- 
ables"  was  to  awaken  society  to  its  striking  im- 
perfections and  to  spur  it  on  to  a  higher  sense 
of  service.  The  leading  character  of  the  book 
is  a  dull,  good-natured  French  peasant,  Jean 
Valjean  by  name.  After  his  parents  died,  he 
lived  with  his  widowed  sister  and  helped  her  to 
support  her  seven  little  children.  During  the 
severe  winter  of  1795,  Jean  was  unable  to  find 
work.  To  save  the  family  from  starving,  he 
stole  a  loaf  of  bread,  and  for  this  deed  was  sen- 
tenced to  five  years  of  hard  labor  in  the  galleys. 
Four  successive  attempts  to  escape  added  four- 
teen more  years  to  his  term  of  imprisonment. 
When  he  was  finally  released,  he  was  a  man  who 
had  lost  all  hope.  This  meeting  with  the  bishop 
awakens  new  aspirations  in  Jean  Valjean.  One 
should  read  the  entire  story  to  realize  how  far 
kindness  will  go  in  awakening  a  poor  hopeless 
soul. 

163 


164  STUDIES  IN  READING 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT 

The  bishop  of  D —  was  a  man  of  such  saintly 
life  and  self-sacrificing  charity  that  he  became 
known  as  Monseigneur  Bienvenu,  or  Welcome. 
He  gave  up  his  palace  that  it  might  serve  as  a  hos- 
pital, taking  for  himself  and  his  sister.  Mademoi- 
selle Baptistine,  with  their  one  servant,  Madame 
Magloire,  the  small  and  poorly  furnished  quarters 
formerly  occupied  by  the  hospital.  Here  he  de- 
voted himself  to  good  works,  ministering  to  the 
poor,  to  the  suffering,  and  even  to  condemned 
prisoners.  The  door  of  his  house  was  never 
locked,  and  whoever  needed  a  friend  found  one 
here. 

One  evening  in  October  the  bishop,  after  his 
walk  through  the  town,  remained  shut  up  rather 
late  in  his  room.  At  eight  o'clock  he  was  still  at 
work,  writing,  when  Madame  INIagloire  entered,  as 
usual,  to  get  the  silverware  from  the  cupboard 
near  his  bed.  A  moment  later  the  bishop,  know- 
ing that  the  table  was  set  and  that  his  sister  was 
probably  waiting  for  him,  shut  his  book,  rose  from 
his  table,  and  entered  the  dining-room. 

Madame  Magloire  was  just  putting  tlie  last 
touches  to  the  table,  and  as  she  did  so  she  was  talk- 
ing with  Mademoiselle  Baptistine  upon  a  subject 
which  was  familiar  to  her  and  to  wliich  the  bish- 
op was  also  accustomed.  The  question  concerned 
the  lock  upon  the  front  door. 

It  seems  that  while  buying  some  provisions  for 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         165 

supper  Madame  Magloire  had  heard  things  in 
divers  places.  People  had  spoken  of  a  prowler  of 
evil  appearance;  a  suspicious  vagabond  had  ar- 
rived, who  must  be  somewhere  about  the  town, 
and  those  who  should  take  it  into  their  heads  to 
return  home  late  that  night  might  be  subjected 
to  unpleasant  encounters.  As  the  police  force 
was  very  badly  organized,  it  behooved  wise  peo- 
ple to  play  the  part  of  police  themselves, — to  duly 
close,  bar,  and  barricade  their  houses  and  to  fasten 
the  doors  well. 

Madame  Magloire  emphasized  these  last  words: 
but  the  bishop,  who  had  just  come  from  his  room 
where  it  was  rather  cold,  seated  himself  in  front 
of  the  fire  and  fell  to  thinking  of  other  things. 
He  did  not  take  up  the  remark  dropped  with  de- 
sign by  Madame  Magloire,  and  she  repeated  it. 
Then  Mademoiselle  Baptistine,  desirous  of  satis- 
fying Madame  Magloire  without  displeasing  her 
brother,  ventured  to  say  timidly,  "Did  you  hear 
what  Madame  Magloire  is  saying,  brother?" 

"I  have  heard  something  of  it  in  a  vague  way," 
replied  the  bishop.  Then,  half  turning  in  his 
chair,  placing  his  hands  on  his  knees,  and  raising 
toward  the  old  servant  woman  his  cordial,  good- 
humored  face,  he  said:  "Come,  what  is  the  mat- 
ter? What  is  the  matter?  Are  we  in  any  great 
danger?" 

Whereupon  Madame  Magloire  began  the  whole 
story  afresh.  It  appeared  that  a  barefooted  vaga- 
bond, a  sort  of  dangerous  beggar  or  gypsy,  was 


166  STUDIES  IN  READING 

at  that  moment  in  the  town.  He  had  presented 
himself  at  the  inn  to  obtain  lodging,  but  the  land- 
lord had  not  been  willing  to  receive  him.  He  had 
been  seen  to  roam  about  the  streets  in  the  gloam- 
ing,— a  gallows  bird  with  a  terrible  face. 

"Really?"  said  the  bishop. 

This  willingness  to  ask  questions  encouraged 
Madame  Magloire.  It  seemed  to  her  to  indicate 
that  the  bishop  was  on  the  point  of  becoming 
alarmed.  "Yes,  Monseigneur,"  she  pursued  tri- 
umphantly. "There  will  be  some  sort  of  catas- 
trophe in  this  town  to-night.  Every  one  says  so. 
And  besides,  the  police  is  so  badly  regulated.  The 
idea  of  living  in  a  mountainous  country,  and  not 
even  having  lights  in  the  streets  at  night!  And  I 
say,  Monseigneur,  that  this  house  is  not  safe  at 
all;  that  if  Monseigneur  will  permit,  I  will  go  and 
tell  the  locksmith  to  come  and  replace  the  ancient 
locks  on  the  doors,  for  there  is  nothing  more  ter- 
rible than  a  door  with  a  latch  on  the  outside, 
which  can  be  opened  by  the  first  passer-by.  We 
need  bolts,  Monseigneur,  if  only  for  this  night; 
moreover — " 

At  that  moment  there  came  a  tolerably  violent 
knock  on  the  door. 

"Come  in,"  said  the  bishop.  The  door  opened 
wide  with  a  rapid  movement,  as  if  some  one  had 
given  it  an  energetic  and  resolute  push. 

A  man  entered,  advanced  a  step,  and  halted, 
leaving  the  door  open  behind  him.  He  was  a 
man  in  the  prime  of  life,  of  medium  stature,  thick- 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         167 

set  and  robust,  with  a  shaved  head  and  a  long 
beard.  A  cap  with  a  drooping  leather  visor  partly 
concealed  his  face,  which  was  burned  and  tanned 
by  sun  and  wind.  He  wore  a  shirt  of  coarse  yel- 
low linen,  a  cravat  twisted  into  a  string,  trousers 
of  blue  drilling,  and  an  old  gray  tattered  blouse, 
patched  on  one  of  the  elbows  with  a  bit  of  green 
cloth .  sewed  on  with  twine.  He  carried  on  his 
back  a  tightly  packed  knapsack,  well  buckled  and 
perfectly  new,  and  an  enormous  knotty  stick  in 
his  hand.  Madame  Magloire  had  not  even  the 
strength  to  utter  a  cry.  She  trembled,  and  stood 
with  her  mouth  wide  open. 

Mademoiselle  Baptistine  turned  round,  saw  the 
man  enter,  and  half  started  up  in  terror;  then 
turning  her  head  by  degrees  toward  the  fireplace, 
she  began  to  observe  her  brother,  and  her  face  be- 
came once  more  calm  and  serene. 

The  bishop  fixed  his  tranquil  eye  on  the  man. 

As  he  opened  his  mouth,  doubtless  to  ask  the 
newcomer  what  he  wanted,  the  man  rested  both 
hands  on  his  staff,  directed  his  gaze  in  turn  at  the 
old  man  and  the  two  women,  and  without  waiting 
for  the  bishop  to  speak,  said  in  a  loud  voice :  "See 
here!  My  name  is  Jean  Valjean.  I  am  a  convict 
from  the  galleys.  I  have  passed  nineteen  years 
there.  I  was  liberated  four  days  ago,  and  am  on 
my  way  to  Pontarlier,  which  is  my  destination.  I 
have  been  walking  for  four  days  since  I  left  Tou- 
lon. I  have  traveled  a  dozen  leagues  to-day  on 
foot.    This  evening,  when  I  arrived  in  these  parts. 


168  STUDIES  IN  READING 


I  went  to  an  inn,  and  they  turned  me  out  because 
of  my  yellow  passport,  which  I  had  shown  at  the 
town  hall  as  was  necessar3\  I  went  to  another 
inn.  They  said  to  me,  *Be  off,'  at  both  places.  No 
one  would  take  me.  I  went  to  the  prison;  the 
jailor  would  not  admit  me.  I  went  into  a  dog's 
kennel;  the  dog  bit  me  and  chased  me  off,  as  if 
he  had  been  a  man.  One  would  have  said  that  he 
knew  who  I  was.  I  went  into  the  fields,  intend- 
ing to  sleep  in  the  open  air  beneath  the  stars. 
There  were  no  stars.  I  thought  that  it  was  going 
to  rain,  and  I  came  back  to  the  town  to  seek  the 
shelter  of  some  doorway.  Yonder,  in  the  square, 
I  lay  down  to  sleep  on  a  stone  bench.  A  good 
woman  pointed  out  your  house. to  me  and  said  to 
me,  'Knock  there !'  I  have  knocked.  What  is  this 
place?  Do  you  keep  an  inn?  I  have  money,  my 
savings — one  hundred  and  nine  francs  and  fifteen 
sous,  which  I  earned  in  the  galleys  by  my  labor,  in 
the  course  of  nineteen  years.  I  will  pay  anything 
you  ask.  I  am  weary  and  very  hungry.  Are  you 
willing  that  I  should  stay?" 

"Madame  Magloire,"  said  the  bishop,  "you  will 
set  another  place." 

The  man  advanced  three  paces  and  approached 
the  lamp  which  was  on  the  table..  "Stop,"  he  re- 
sumed, as  if  he  had  not  quite  understood.  "Did 
you  hear?  I  am  a  galley  slave,  a  convict.  I  come 
from  the  galleys."  He  drew  from  his  pocket  a 
large  sheet  of  yellow  paper,  which  he  unfolded. 
"Here's  my  passport, — yellow,  as  you  see.     This 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         169 

serves  to  expel  me  from  every  place  where  I  go. 
Will  you  read  it?  I  know  how  to  read.  I  learned 
in  the  galleys.  There  is  a  school  there  for  those 
who  wish  to  learn.  This  is  what  they  have  put  on 
this  passport:  'Jean  Valjean,  discharged  convict, 
native  of — that  is  nothing  to  you — 'has  been  nine- 
teen years  in  the  galleys;  five  years  for  house- 
breaking and  burglary;  fourteen  years  for  having 
attempted  to  escape  on  four  occasions.  He  is  a 
very  dangerous  man.'  There!  Every  one  has 
cast  me  out.  Are  you  willing  to  receive  me?  Is 
this  an  inn?  Will  you  give  me  something  to  eat 
and  a  bed?    Have  a'^ou  a  stable?" 

"Madame  Magloire,"  said  the  bishop,  "you  will 
put  white  sheets  on  the  bed  in  the  alcove." 

Madame  Magloire  went  out  to  execute  these 
orders. 

The  bishop  turned  to  the  man.  "Sit  down,  sir, 
and  warm  yourself.  We  are  going  to  sup  in  a  few 
moments,  and  your  bed  will  be  prepared  while 
you  are  eating." 

At  this  point  the  man  suddenly  comprehended. 
The  expression  of  his  face,  up  to  that  time  gloomy 
and  harsh,  bore  the  imprint  of  stupefaction,  of 
doubt,  of  joy,  and  became  extraordinary.  He  be- 
gan stammering  like  a  crazy  man:  "Really?  You 
will  keep  me?  You  do  not  drive  me  forth?  A 
convict!  and  you  call  me  Sir!  'Get  out  of  here,  you 
dog!'  is  what  people  have  said  to  me.  I  felt  sure 
that  you  would  expel  me,  so  I  told  you  at  once 
who  I  am.    Oh,  what  a  good  woman  that  was  who 


170  STUDIES  IN  READING 

directed  me  hither!  I  am  going  to  have  supper! 
and  a  bed  with  a  mattress  and  sheets,  like  the  rest 
of  the  world! — a  bed!  It  is  nineteen  years  since 
I  have  slept  in  a  bed!  You  actually  do  not  want 
me  to  go!  You  are  good  people.  Besides,  I  have 
money;  I  will  pay  well.  Pardon  me,  Monsieur  the 
innkeeper,  but  what  is  your  name?  You  are  an 
innkeeper,  are  you  not?" 

"I  am  a  priest  who  lives  here,"  said  the  bishop. 

"A  priest!"  said  the  man.  "Oh,  what  a  fine 
priest!  Then  you  are  not  going  to  demand  any 
money  of  me?  You  are  the  cure,  are  you  not?  the 
cure  of  this  big  church  ?  Well !  I  am  a  fool,  truly ! 
I  had  not  perceived  your  skull  cap." 

As  he  spoke  he  deposited  his  knapsack  and  his 
cudgel  in  a  corner,  replaced  his  passport  in  his 
pocket,  and  seated  himself.  "You  are  humane," 
he  went  on.  "You  have  not  scorned  me.  Then  you 
do  not  require  me  to  pay?" 

"No,"  replied  the  bishop:  "keep  your  money. 
How  much  have  you?  Did  you  not  tell  me  one 
hundred  and  nine  francs?" 

"And  fifteen  sous,"  added  the  man. 

"One  hundred  and  nine  francs  and  fifteen  sous! 
And  how  long  did  it  take  you  to  earn  that?" 

"Nineteen  years." 

"Nineteen  years!"    The  bishop  sighed  deeply. 

The  man  continued:  "I  have  still  the  whole  of 
my  money.  In  four  days  I  have  spent  only  twenty- 
five  sous,  which  I  earned  by  helping  unload  some 
wagons.     Since  you  are  a  priest,  I  will  tell  you 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         171 

that  we  had  a  chaplain  in  the  galleys.  And  one 
day  I  saw  a  bishop  there.  Monseigneur  is  what 
they  called  him.  He  is  the  cure  who  rules  over  the 
other  cures,  you  understand.  Pardon  me,  I  say 
that  very  badly;  but  it  is  such  a  far-off  thing  to 
me!" 

While  he  was  speaking  the  bishop  had  gone  out 
and  shut  the  door,  which  had  remained  wide  open. 

Madame  Magloire  returned  with  a  silver  fork 
and  spoon,  which  she  placed  on  the  table. 

"Madame  Magloire,"  said  the  bishop,  "place 
those  things  as  near  the  fire  as  possible."  And 
turning  to  his  guest:  "The  night  wind  is  harsh 
on  the  Alps.     You  must  be  cold,  sir." 

Each  time  that  he  uttered  the  word  sir,  in  a 
voice  which  was  so  gently  grave  and  polished,  the 
man's  face  lighted  up.  Sir  to  a  convict  is  like  a 
glass  of  water  to  a  man  dying  of  thirst  at  sea. 
Ignominy  thirsts  for  consideration. 

"This  lamp  gives  a  very  bad  light,"  said  the 
bishop. 

Madame  Magloire  understood  him,  and  went  to 
get  the  two  silver  candlesticks  from  the  chimney 
piece  in  Monseigneur's  bedchamber,  and  placed 
them,  lighted,  on  the  table. 

"You  are  good,"  said  the  man;  **you  do  not  de- 
spise me.  You  receive  me  into  your  house.  You 
light  your  candles  for  me.  Yet  I  have  not  con- 
cealed from  you  whence  I  come  and  that  I  am  an 
unfortunate  man." 

The  bishop,  who  was  sitting  near  him,  gently 


172  STUDIES  IN  READING 


touched  his  hand.  "You  need  not  tell  me  who  you 
are.  This  door  does  not  demand  of  him  who 
enters  whether  he  has  a  name,  but  whether  he  has 
a  grief.  You  suffer,  you  are  hungry  and  thirsty; 
you  are  welcome.  Every  one  is  at  home  here  who 
needs  a  refuge.  What  need  have  I  to  know  your 
name?  Besides,  before  you  told  me,  you  had  one 
which  I  knew." 

The  man  opened  his  eyes  in  astonishment. 
"Really?    You  knew  what  I  was  called?" 

"Yes,"  replied  the  bishop:  "you  are  called  my 
brother." 

"Stop,  stop!"  exclaimed  the  man.  "I  was  very 
hungry  when  I  entered  here;  but  you  are  so  good 
that  I  no  longer  know  what  has  happened  to  me." 

The  bishop  looked  at  him  and  said,  "You  have 
suffered  much?" 

"Oh,  the  red  blouse,  the  ball  on  the  ankle,  a 
plank  to  sleep  on,  heat,  cold,  toil,  the  convicts,  the 
thrashings,  the  double  chain  for  nothing,  the  cell 
for  one  word;  even  when  sick  and  in  bed,  still  the 
chain!  Dogs,  dogs  are  happier!  Nineteen  years! 
I  am  forty-six.  Now,  there  is  the  yellow  passport. 
That  is  ail  I  have." 

"Yes,"  resumed  the  bishop,  "you  have  come  from 
a  very  sad  place.  Listen.  There  will  be  more  joy 
in  heaven  over  the  tear-bathed  face  of  a  repentant 
sinner  than  over  the  white  robes  of  a  hundred  just 
men.  If  you  are  leaving  that  sad  place  with 
thoughts  of  hatred  and  of  wrath  against  mankind, 
you  are  deserving  of  pity;  if  you  are  leaving  it 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         173 

with  thoughts  of  good-will  and  of  peace,  you  are 
more  worthy  than  any  one  of  us." 

In  the  meantime  Madame  Magloire  had  served 
supper, — soup,  a  little  bacon,  a  bit  of  mutton,  figs, 
a  fresh  cheese,  and  a  large  loaf  of  rye  bread.  The 
bishop's  face  at  once  assumed  that  expression  of 
gayety  which  is  peculiar  to  hospitable  natures. 
"To  table !"  he  cried  vivaciously.  As  was  his  habit 
when  a  stranger  supped  with  him,  he  made  the 
man  sit  on  his  right.  Mademoiselle  Baptistine  took 
her  seat  at  his  left. 

The  bishop  asked  a  blessing  and  then  helped  the 
soup  himself  according  to  his  custom. 

Jean  Valjean  paid  no  attention  to  any  one.  He 
ate  with  the  voracity  of  a  starving  man.  How- 
ever, after  supper  he  said,  "Sir,  all  this  is  far  too 
good  for  me,  but  I  must  say  that  the  carters  at  the 
inn,  who  would  not  allow  me  to  eat  with  them, 
keep  a  better  table  than  you  do." 

The  bishop  replied,  "They  are  more  fatigued 
than  I." 

"No,"  returned  the  man;  "they  have  more 
money.  You  are  poor;  I  see  that  plainly.  You 
cannot  be  even  a  curate.  Are  you  really  a  cure? 
Ah,  if  the  good  God  were  but  just,  you  certainly 
ought  to  be  a  cure!" 

"The  good  God  is  more  than  just,"  said  the 
bishop.  A  moment  later  he  added,  "Jean  Valjean, 
is  it  to  Pontarlier  that  you  are  going?" 

"Yes,  with  my  road  marked  out  for  me.    I  must 


174  STUDIES  IN  READING 

be  on  my  way  by  daybreak  to-morrow.  Traveling 
is  hard.    If  the  nights  are  cold,  the  days  are  hot." 

"You  are  going  to  a  good  country,"  said  the 
bishop. 

"There  is  plenty  of  work  there.  You  have  only 
to  choose.  There  are  paper  mills,  tanneries,  dis- 
tilleries, oil  factories,  watch  factories  on  a  large 
scale,  steel  mills,  and  copper  works.  Besides  these 
industries  they  have  another.  It  is  their  cheese 
dairies,  which  they  call  fruitieres.'* 

The  bishop  recurred  frequently  to  the  latter 
trade  as  if  he  wished  the  man  to  understand,  with- 
out advising  him  directly,  that  this  would  afford 
him  a  refuge.  Neither  during  supper,  nor  during 
the  entire  evening,  did  the  bishop  utter  a  single 
word  that  could  remind  Valjean  of  what  he  was. 
He  did  not  even  ask  him  from  what  country  he 
came,  nor  what  was  his  history.  He  was  thinking, 
no  doubt,  that  the  man  had  his  misfortune  only 
too  vividly  present  in  his  mind;  that  the  best  thing 
was  to  divert  him  from  it,  and  to  make  him  be- 
lieve, if  only  for  the  moment,  that  he  was  a  person 
like  any  other. 

But  Jean  Valjean  paid  little  heed  to  anything. 
He  seemed  too  fatigued  to  talk. 

At  last  Monseigneur  Bienvenu  took  one  of  the 
two  silver  candlesticks  from  the  table,  handed  the 
other  to  his  guest,  and  said  to  him,  "Monsieur,  I 
will  conduct  you  to  your  room." 

The  man  followed  him. 

The  bishop  left  his  guest  in  an  alcove  adjoining 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         175 

his  own  bedroom.  "May  you  pass  a  good  night,*' 
he  said.  "To-morrow  morning,  before  you  set  out, 
you  shall  have  a  cup  of  warm  milk  from  our 
cows." 

"Thanks,  monsieur,"  said  Valjean.  He  turned 
abruptly  to  the  old  man,  folded  his  arms,  and  ex- 
claimed in  a  hoarse  voice:  "Ah!  really!  You 
lodge  me  in  your  house,  close  to  yourself,  like 
this?  Have  you  reflected  well?  How  do  you  know 
that  I  am  not  a  murderer?" 

The  bishop  replied,  "That  is  the  concern  of  the 
good  God."  Then  gravely,  and  moving  his  lips 
like  one  who  is  praying  or  talking  to  himself,  he 
raised  two  fingers  of  his  right  hand  and  bestowed 
his  benediction  on  the  man;  then,  without  turn- 
ing his  head,  he  went  into  his  bedroom. 

A  moment  later  he  was  in  his  garden,  walking, 
meditating,  contemplating,  his  heart  and  soul 
wholly  absorbed  in  those  grand  and  mysterious 
things  which  God  shows  at  night  to  the  eyes  which 
remain  open. 

As  for  the  man,  he  was  so  completely  exhausted 
that  he  did  not  even  profit  by  the  nice  white  sheets. 
Snuffing  out  his  candle,  he  dropped,  all  dressed 
as  he  was,  upon  the  bed,  where  he  immediately  fell 
into  a  sound  sleep. 

Midnight  struck  as  the  bishop  returned  from 
his  garden  to  his  room,  and  a  few  minutes  later 
all  were  asleep  in  the  little  house. 

— Victor  Hugo, 


176  STUDIES  IN  READING 


NOTES 

1.  Read  Victor  Hugo's  Lcs  Miserahles.        Read  also  his  Toilers 
of  the  Sea. 

2.  Galleys.     Prisons  or  convict  colonies.    A  galley  slave  was  one 

who  was  originally  chained  to  his  place  in  a  huge  row- 
boat,  or  galley.  The  term  came  to  be  applied  to  the  con- 
victs who  were  chained  together  in  prison  or  in  the  colonies, 
while  at  any  work  they  were  compelled  to  do. 

3.  Monseigneur  Bienvenu.    Pronounced  !Mon-san-yer'  Byan-ve-nfi'. 

4.  Mademoiselle    Baptistine.     Pronounced  Mad'-mwa'-zSl'   Ba-tis- 

ten'. 

5.  Madame  Magloire.     Pronounced  Ma-dam'  ma-glwar'. 

6.  Oallows  bird.     A  criminal,  one  fit  for  the  gallows. 

7.  Visor.     The  frontpiece  of  the  cap,  which  shades  the  eyes. 

8.  Drilling.     A  heavy  twilled  fabric  of  linen  or  cotton,  or  fabric 

woven  with  diagonal  effect. 

9.  Pontarlier.     Pon-tar'-le-a',  a  French  town. 

10.  Toulon.     Pronounced  too-lon'. 

11.  Yellow  passport.     The  pass  given  to  a  released  convict  was 

yellow  to  let  everyone  know  the  character  of  its  holder. 

12.  Franc.     A  coin  worth  twenty-three  cents. 

13.  Sous.     Cents. 

14.  CurS.     The  minister  or  rector.     The  curate  was  an  assistant, 

or  deputy,  of  the  cur6. 

15.  Fruitidres.     Dairies. 

16.  Words  and  expressions   for  study:     divers,  suspicious  vaga- 

bond, beloved,  barricade,  gj'psy,  resolute,  visor,  blue  drilling, 
tranquil,  passport,  galleys,  imprint  of  stupefaction,  curC, 
curate,  ignominy,  vivaciously,  voracity,  carters,  benediction. 


EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  the  history  of  Jean  Valjean  up  to  the  time  of  this  story. 

2.  Just  what  kind  of  man  was  the  Bishop  of  D — ? 

3.  What  rumor  had  startled  the  little  village? 

4.  Why  was  not  the  bishop  alarmed  ? 

6.  What  is  shown  of  the  stranger  by  the  manner  in  which  he 
entered  the  bishop's  door? 


THE  BISHOP  AND  THE  CONVICT         177 


G.  Describe  the  newcomer. 

7.  What  is  shown  of  him  in  that  he  told  fully  who  he  was  before 

the  bishop  could  ask  him? 

8.  Explain  "the  dog  bit  me  and  chased  me  off,  as  if  he  had  been 

a  man." 

9.  What  is  shown  of  the  bishop  in  "]Madame  Magloire,  you  will 

set  another  place"? 

10.  Why  should  the  stranger  insist  that  he  is  a  galley  slave  and 

even  show  his  yellow  passport  in  proof? 

11.  Why  does  he  even  read  "He  is  a  very  dangerous  man"? 

12.  What  is  shown  of  the  bishop  in  his  next  quiet  order? 

13.  Why  does  the  bishop  address  the  stranger  as  "Sir"  ? 

14.  W'hat   shows  that  the  bishop's  spirit  of  kindness   and  hospi- 

tality is  making  the  stranger  feel  at  home  ? 

15.  Why  does  the  bishop  inquire  so  closely  as  to  the  stranger's 

money  ? 
10.  Explain  "The  bishop  sighed  deeply." 

17.  What  is  shown  of  Jean  Valjean  in  that  he  earned  twenty-five 

sous  on  his  journey? 

18.  Why  did  the  man's  face  light  up  at  the  word  8irf 
li).  Explain  "Ignominy  thirsts  for  consideration." 

20.  Why  did  they  even  bring  in  the  silver  candlesticks? 

21.  Why  did  the  bishop  treat  the  stranger  so  kindly  after  he  knew 

his  guest  was  a  released  convict  ? 

22.  Explain  fully,  "This  door  does  not  demand  of  him  who  enters 

whether  he  has  a  name,  but  whether  he  has  a  grief." 

23.  What    name    did    the    convict   have    which    the    bishop    knew 

already  ? 

24.  What  is  shown  both  of  host  and  guest  in  Jean's  statement  "the 

carters  at  the  inn keep  a  better  table  than  you  do"  ? 

25.  Why  did  the  bishop  talk  to  Jean  of  the  work  he  could  get? 

20.  Why  did  not  the  bishop  fear  the  dangerous  character  of  his 
guest  ? 

27.  How  many  traits  of  Jean  Val jean's  character  are  revealed  in 

this  extract,  showing  that  he  is  a  man  worth  saving? 

28.  What  do  you  think  would  be  the  final  effect  on  him  of  tlie 

bishop's  kind  treatment? 


178  STUDIES  IN  READING 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Hugo:  Les  Miserables. 

Hunt  :  Abou  Ben  Adhem. 

Whittier  :  The  Brother  of  Mercy. 

Dickens  :  Tale  of  Two  Cities. 

Longfellow:   Santa  Filomena.  Excelsior. 

Matthew  xxv,  34-46. 

Luke  x,  25-37 :   Story  of  the  Good  Samaritan. 

Lowell:   Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.     Yussouf. 

Van  Dyke:   The  Mansion.     The  Ruling  Passion. 

Bonar:   The  Master's  Touch. 

Arnold:   Self-Dependence.     Sohrab  and  Rustum. 

Bryant:  The  Journey  of  Life. 

Gilder:  The  Celestial  Passion. 


A  CALL  TO  COURAGE 
Be  like  the  promontory,  against  which  the 
waves  continually  break;  but  it  stands  firm,  and 
tames  the  fury  of  the  water  around  it.  Unhappy 
am  I,  because  this  has  happened  to  me?  Not  so, 
but  happy  am  I,  though  this  has  happened  to 
me,  because  I  continue  free  from  pain,  neither 
crushed  by  the  present,  nor  fearing  the  future. 
Will,  then,  this  which  has  happened  prevent 
thee  from  being  just,  magnanimous,  temperate, 
prudent,  secure  against  inconsiderate  opinions 
and  falsehood?  Remember,  too,  on  every  occa- 
sion which  leads  thee  to  vexation  to  apply  this 
principle:  that  this  is  not  a  misfortune,  but  that 
to  bear  it  nobly  is  good  fortune. — Marcus  AntO' 
ninus. 


TUBAL   CAIN 

^  UBAL'  CAIN  may  well  be  regarded  as  the 
'■■  father  of  manual  training.  He  was  the  son 
of  Lamech^  and  Zillah,^  and  as  the  Bible  tells  us 
(Gen.  4:22),  "an  instructor  of  every  artificer  in 
brass  and  iron."  Josephus,^  in  The  Antiquities 
of  the  Jews,  says :  "But  Tubal  exceeded  all  men 
in  strength,  and  was  very  expert  and  famous  in 
martial  performances,  .  .  .  and  first  of  all 
invented  the  art  of  working  brass." 

The  author  has  seized  upon  the  suggestion  con- 
tained in  the  above  facts  and  constructed  a  poem 
which  contains  in  brief  the  history  of  civilization. 
The  hero  is  the  personification  of  the  race  as  it 
evolved  from  barbarism  to  civilization.  "The 
sword  and  the  spear"  are  relics  of  organized 
conquest  when  might  made  right.  The  "sudden 
change"  that  came  over  the  heart  of  the  old  hero 
is  but  typical  of  a  higher  vision  of  the  arts  of 
peace  that  should  be  the  fruits  of  conquest.  The 
"plowshare"  is  but  symbolic  of  industry  and 
peace  and  the  higher  progress  of  civilization. 
The  poem  closes  with  a  significant  hint  that  war 
is  still  honorable  when  waged  in  defense  of  home 

1  Pronounced  tu '  bal.  3  Pronounced  zil '  a. 

2  Pronounced  lu'mek.  4  Pronounced  j6-se'fw&. 

179 


180  STUDIES  IN  READING 

and  country  and  sacred  rights.  The  poem  is  a 
splendid  poetic  illumination  of  the  oft-quoted 
saying  of  Matthew  Arnold:  "Might,  till  right 
is  ready." 

TUBAL   GAIN 

Old  Tubal  Cain  was  a  man  of  might, 

In  the  days  when  the  earth  was  young; 
By  the  fierce  red  light  of  his  furnace  bright. 

The  strokes  of  his  hammer  rung; 
And  he  lifted  high  his  brawny  hand 

On  the  iron  growing  clear. 
Till  the  sparks  rushed  out  in  scarlet  showers. 

As  he  fashioned  the  sword  and  spear. 
And  he  sang,  "Hurrah  for  my  handiwork ! 

Hurrah  for  the  spear  and  the  sword! 
Hurrah  for  the  hand  that  shall  wield  them  well, 

For  he  shall  be  king  and  lord!" 

To  Tubal  Cain  came  many  a  one. 

As  he  wrought  by  his  roaring  fire. 
And  each  one  prayed  for  a  strong  steel  blade 

As  the  crown  of  his  desire; 
And  he  made  them  weapons  sharp  and  strong. 

Till  they  shouted  loud  for  glee. 
And  gave  him  gifts  of  pearl  and  gold. 

And  spoils  of  the  forest  free. 
And  they  said,  "Hurrah  for  Tubal  Cain, 

Who  hath  given  us  strength  anew! 
Hurrah  for  the  smith,  hurrah  for  the  fire. 

And  hurrah  for  the  metal  true!" 


TUBAL    CAIN  181 


But  a  sudden  change  came  o'er  his  heart 

Ere  the  setting  of  the  sun, 
And  Tubal  Cain  was  filled  with  pain 

For  the  evil  he  had  done: 
He  saw  that  men  with  rage  and  hate 

Made  war  upon  their  kind, 
That  the  land  was  red  with  the  blood  they  shed 

In  their  lust  for  carnage  blind. 
And  he  said,  "Alas  that  ever  I  made. 

Or  that  skill  of  mine  should  plan, 
The  spear  and  the  sword  for  men  whose  joy 

Is  to  slay  their  fellow  man!" 

And  for  many  a  day  old  Tubal  Cain 

Sat  brooding  o'er  his  woe; 
And  his  hand  forbore  to  smite  the  ore, 

And  his  furnace  smoldered  low. 
But  he  rose  at  last  with  a  cheerful  face. 

And  a  bright  courageous  eye. 
And  bared  his  strong  right  arm  for  work, 

While  the  quick  flames  mounted  high; 
And  he  sang,  "Hurrah  for  my  handiwork!" 

And  the  red  sparks  lit  the  air: 
"Not   alone  for  the   blade   was    the   bright   steel 
made," — 

And  he  fashioned  the  first  plowshare. 

And  men,  taught  wisdom  from  the  past. 

In  friendship  joined  their  hands. 
Hung  the  sword  in  the  hall,  the  spear  on  the  wall, 

And  plowed  the  willing  lands; 
And  sung,  "Hurrah  for  Tubal  Cain ! 

Our  stanch  good  friend  is  he; 


182'  STUDIES  IN  READING 


And  for  the  plowshare  and  the  plow 

To  him  our  praise  shall  be. 
But  while  oppression  lifts  its  head. 

Or  a  tyrant  would  be  lord, 
Though  we  may  thank  him  for  the  plow. 

We'll  not  forget  the  sword!" 

— Charles  Mackay, 

EXERCISES 

1.  Who  was  Tubal  Cain? 

2.  What  does  the  poet  represent  him  as  doing  at  first? 

3.  What  was  then  the  condition  of  the  times  when  "eacli  one 

prayed    for    a    strong    steel    blade    as    the    crown    of    liis 
desire" ? 

4.  In  what  sense  had  Tubal  Cain  given  thorn  "strength  anew"  ? 

5.  What  do  you  think  caused  the  "sudden  change"  to  come  o'er 

his  heart? 
G.  What  did  he  next  resolve  to  do? 

7.  What  change  came  over  the  sons  of  men  as  a  result? 

8.  Does  the  poet  think  war  is  ever  justifiable? 

9.  Explain  "Might,  till  right  is  ready." 

10.  In  what  sense  does  Tubal  Cain  personify  the  human  race  in 
its  progressive  onward  march? 

ADDITIONAL    READINGS 

Song  of  the  Forge — (Clang,  Clang,  the  ^Massive  Anvils  Ring). 

George  W.  Cutter:  The  Song  of  Steam. 

Robert  Soittiiey:  The  Battle  of  Blenheim. 

Edwin  Arnold:  Armageddon. 

Longfellow:  Keramos.     The  Village  Blacksmith.     The  Builders. 

Chester:  The  Tapestry  Weavers. 


WAVE    AND    TIDE 

/^CCASIONALLY,  we  hear  people  say, 
"The  world  is  growing  worse."  Such  peo- 
ple have  never  gotten  the  best  out  of  life.  From 
the  time  when  his  first  toy  broke  or  his  red  bal- 
loon exploded,  every  person  has  had  discourage- 
ments and  disappointments.  But  one  must  learn 
to  rise  above  discouragements.  By  sticking  to  a 
fixed  plan,  one  can  accomplish  almost  anything. 
Helen  Keller,  blind,  deaf,  and  dumb,  after  years 
of  severe  training  and  patient  effort,  wrote  the 
story  of  her  life  and  even  delivered  public  ad- 
dresses. Sticking  to  it  is  what  counts.  "If  at 
first  you  don't  succeed,  try,  try  again,"  is  the 
poet's  way  of  urging  each  one  to  overcome  ob- 
stacles. An  old  proverb  declares  the  same  truth 
in,  "The  constant  dropping  of  water  wears  the 
hardest  stone  away." 

In  the  following  poem,  the  author  has  doubt- 
less caught  this  same  great  truth  as  she  sat  on 
the  seashore  and  observed  the  breaking  waves 
and  the  incoming  tide.  She  saw  the  wild  waves 
shattered  into  foam.  Though  the  waves  fell 
"broken  and  beaten,"  she  observed  that  the 
mighty  sea  behind  them  with  tide  after  tide, 
finally,   in  a   "chant  of  triumph,"   crushed  the 

183 


184  STUDIES  IN  READING 

strongest  reef.  In  all  this  she  saw  a  beau- 
tiful symbol  of  the  final  triumph  of  right  and 
righteousness  in  human  life. 

WAVE  AND  TIDE* 

On  the  far  reef  the  breakers 

Recoil  in  shattered  foam, 
Yet  still  the  sea  behind  them 

Urges   its   forces   home; 
Its  chant  of  triumph  surges 

Through  all  the  thunderous  din — 
The  wave  may  break  in  failure, 

But  the  tide  is  sure  to  win ! 

The  reef  is  strong  and  cruel; 

Upon  its  jagged  wall 
One  wave — a  score — a  hundred, 

Broken  and  beaten  fall; 
Yet  in  defeat  they  conquer. 

The  sea  comes  flooding  in — 
Wave  upon  wave  is  routed. 

But  the  tide  is  sure  to  win! 

O  mighty  sea!    thy  message 

In  clanging  spray  is  cast; 
Within  God's  plan  of  progress 

It  matters  not  at  last 
How  wide  the  shores  of  evil. 

How  strong  the  reefs  of  sin — 
The  wave  may  be  defeated. 

But  the  tide  is  sure  to  win! 

— Priscilla  Leonard. 


*From  The   Outlook,  August,   1910.     Used  by  the  courteous 
permission  of  Tlie  Outlook  Company. 


WAVE  AND  TIDE  185 


NOTES 

1.  Bring  in  pictures  of  sea  scenes  which  show  the  "breakers." 

2.  Bring  in  other  sayings  which  have  the  thought  of   ''Try,  try 

again." 

3.  Tell  of  cases  in  which  persons  began  works   or  projects   and 

failed  to  finish  them. 

4.  Tell  of  cases  in  which  persons  triumphed  over  great  obstacles. 

5.  Reef.     "A  chain  or  range  of  rocks  lying  at  or  near  the  surface 

of  the  water."     Coral   reefs   are  familiar  examples. 

C).  Breakers.  A  wave  breaking  into  foam  against  the  shore  or 
on  a  rock  or  reef  near  the  surface  of  the  water. 

7.  Be  prepared  to  give  clear  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 
expressions:  Wave,  tide,  reef,  breakers,  recoil,  shattered 
foam,  chant,  surges,  thunderous  din,  jagged  wall,  score, 
routed,  clanging  spray,  progress,  shores  of  evil,  reefs  of  sin. 

EXERCISES 

1.  What  experience  of  the  author  evidently  inspired  this  poem? 

2.  What  contrast  is  given  in  the  first  four  lines? 

3.  What  is  the  sea's  "Chant  of  Triumph"? 

4.  What  is  the  meaning  of  "thunderous  din"? 

5.  What  sharp  contrast  in  the  last  two  lines  of  the  first  stanza  ? 

6.  In  what  sense  does  the  wave   "break  in  failure"? 

7.  In  what  sense  do  the   waves   "conquer"  in  "defeat"? 

8.  Why  does  the  author  speak  of  the  spray  as  "clanging"? 
0.  What  are  "the  shores   of  evil"? 

10.  What  are  "the  reefs  of  sin"? 

11.  What  in  life  corresponds  to  wave  and  tide? 

12.  What  truth    concerning    "God's    plan    of    progress"    does    the 

author  discover? 

ADDITIONAL    READINGS 

Mason:  The  Voyage. 

Pbocter:  The  Sea. 

Holmes:   The  Sail.     The  Chambered  Nautilus. 

Burroughs:  My  Own  Shall  Come  to  Me. 

Whittier:  The  Eternal  Goodness. 


186  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Longfellow:  Psalm  of  Life.     Excelsior. 

Byron:  Overthrow   of   Belshazzar. 

Sill:  The  Fool's  Prayer. 

Kipling:  The  Recessional. 

Greene:  The  Baron's  Last  Banquet. 

Arnold:   Self -Dependence. 

Van  Dyke:  The  Mansion. 

Helen  I^ller:  The  Story  of  My  Life. 


THE  EARTH  AND  MAN 

A  little  sun,  a  little  rain, 

A  soft  wind  blowing  from  the  west — 
And  woods  and  fields  are  sweet  again, 

And  warmth  within  the  mountain's  breast. 

So  simple  is  the  earth  we  tread. 

So  quick  with  love  and  life  her  frame: 

Ten  thousand  years  have  dawned  and  fled. 
And  still  her  magic  is  the  same. 

A  little  love,  a  little  trust, 

A  soft  impulse,  a  sudden  dream — 
And  life  as  dry  as  desert  dust 

Is  fresher  than  a  mountain  stream. 

So  simple  is  the  heart  of  man. 
So  ready  for  new  hope  and  joy: 

Ten  thousand  years  since  it  began 
Have  left  it  younger  than  a  boy. 

— Stop  ford  A.  Brooke, 


ELEGY  WRITTEN  IN  A  COUNTRY 
CHURCHYARD 

np  HIS  poem  has  been  pronounced  "the  most 
widely  known  poem  in  our  language,"  a 
popularity  due  to  "its  interest  in  the  lives  of  the 
poor,  to  its  sympathy  with  their  pleasures  and 
realization  of  their  hardships,  and  to  its  observa- 
tion of  the  little  things  of  nature."  Love  of  na- 
ture and  sympathy  with  common  men  fill  every 
line.  Gray  got  the  setting  of  this  poem  from 
the  scenes  in  and  around  Stoke  Poges  church, 
an  ivy-covered  building  situated  in  a  picturesque 
rural  district  not  many  miles  from  Windsor 
Castle,  in  England.  He  began  the  poem  at  the 
old  church  in  1742,  continued  it  there  a  year 
later,  but  it  was  finally  finished  in  Cambridge  in 
1750.  He  thus  spent  eight  years  "adding,  taking 
away,  polishing,  and  refining,  until  it  (the  poem) 
had  become  worthy,  even  in  form,  to  be  named 
among  the  great  poems  of  the  world." 

The  poem  is  a  mournful,  plaintive  expression 
of  grief  at  the  passing  away  of  the  great  class 
of  unknown  poor,  with  a  clear,  sweetly-sad  note 
of  praise  for  their  homely  virtues.  It  opens  in 
dreamy,  meditative  mood,  with  an  exquisite  pic- 

187 


188  STUDIES  IN  READING 


ture  of  the  scenes  surrounding  the  old  churcli, 
and,  at  the  close,  "drifts  into  an  elegy  on  the 
writer,  who  becomes  lost  in  the  pathos  of  his 
own  sad  end."  Thus  through  the  personal  feel- 
ing of  mingled  gloom  and  gladness  he  brings  the 
hearts  of  all  readers  into  sympathetic  and  abid- 
ing touch  with  the  spirit  of  common  hfe.  This 
poem  may  well  call  us  away  from  care-free, 
fruitless  thinking  and  living,  to  face  the  deeper 
realities  of  life.  The  great  heart  of  the  world 
will  always  love  the  exquisite  melody  and  beauty, 
the  grandeur,  the  sweet  sadness,  and  the  death- 
less truths  of  these  lines. 

It  was  said  of  General  Wolfe,  that  as  he  led 
the  daring  assault  on  Quebec  in  17o9,  and  as  the 
boats  were  slowly  drifting  to  the  landing  below 
the  Heights  of  Abraham,  he  repeated  in  low 
tones  to  his  officers  the  stanza, 

"The  boast  of  heraldry,  the  pomp  of  power. 
And  all  that  beauty,  all  that  wealth  e'er  gave. 

Awaits  alike  th'  inevitable  hour: — 
The  paths  of  glory  lead  but  to  the  grave." 

Then  he  declared  vehemently:  "Gentlemen,  I 
would  rather  be  the  author  of  that  poem  than 
take  Quebec."  He  fell  the  next  day,  and  died 
just  as  the  shouts  of  the  victory  of  his  men 
reached  his  ear. 


190  STUDIES  IN  READING 

ELEGY  WRITTEN  IN  A  COUNTRY 
CHURCHYARD 

The  curfew  tolls  the  knell  of  parting  day. 
The  lowing  herd  winds  slowly  o'er  the  lea. 

The  plowman  homeward  plods  his  weary  way. 
And  leaves  the  world  to  darkness  and  to  me. 

Now  fades  the  glimmering  landscape  on  the  sight. 
And  all  the  air  a  solemn  stillness  holds, 

Save  where  the  beetle  wheels  his  droning  flight. 
And  drowsy  tinklings  lull  the  distant  folds: 

Save  that,  from  yonder  ivy-mantled  tower. 
The  moping  owl  does  to  the  moon  complain 

Of  such  as,  wandering  near  her  secret  bower. 
Molest  her  ancient  solitary  reign. 

Beneath  those  rugged  elms,  that  yew-tree's  shade. 
Where  heaves  the  turf  in  many  a  mouldering 
heap, 

Each  in  his  narrow  cell  forever  laid. 

The  rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep. 

The  breezy  call  of  incense-breathing  morn. 

The  swallow  twittering    from    the    straw-built 
shed. 

The  cock's  shrill  clarion,  or  the  echoing  horn. 
No  more  shall  rouse  them  from  their  lowly  bed. 


GRAY'S  ELEGY  191 


For  them  no  more  the  blazing  hearth  shall  burn. 
Or  busy  housewife  ply  her  evening  care; 

No  children  run  to  lisp  their  sire's  return, 
Or  climb  his  knees  the  envied  kiss  to  share. 

Oft  did  the  harvest  to  their  sickle  yield. 

Their  furrow  oft  the  stubborn  glebe  has  broke ; 

How  jocund  did  they  drive  their  team  afield! 
How  bow'd  the    woods    beneath    their    sturdy 
stroke ! 

Let  not  Ambition  mock  their  useful  toil, 
Their  homely  joys,  and  destiny  obscure; 

Nor  Grandeur  hear  with  a  disdainful  smile 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor. 

The  boast  of  heraldry,  the  pomp  of  power. 

And  all  that  beauty,  all  that  wealth  e'er  gave, 

Awaits  alike  th'  inevitable  hour: — 

The  paths  of  glory  lead  but  to  the  grave. 

Nor  you,  ye  proud,  impute  to  these  the  fault. 
If  Memory  o'er  their  tomb  no  trophies  raise; 

Where,  through  the  long-drawn  aisle  and  fretted 
vault, 
The  pealing  anthem  swells  the  note  of  praise. 

Can  storied  urn  or  animated  bust 

Back  to  its  mansion  call  the  fleeting  breath? 
Can  honor's  voice  provoke  the  silent  dust? 

Or  flattery  soothe  the  dull,  cold  ear  of  Death? 


192  STUDIES  IN  READING 


Perhaps  in  this  neglected  spot  is  laid 

Some  heart  once  pregnant  with  celestial  fire; 

Hands,  that  the  rod  of  empire  might  have  sway'd. 
Or  wak'd  to  ecstasy  the  living  lyre : 

But  knowledge  to  their  eyes  her  ample  page. 
Rich  with  the  spoils  of  time,  did  ne'er  unroll; 

Chill  penury  repressed  their  noble  rage, 
And  froze  the  genial  current  of  the  soul. 

Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene 
The  dark,  unfathom'd  caves  of  ocean  bear; 

Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen. 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air. 

Some  village  Hampden,  that  with  dauntless  breast 
The  little  tyrant  of  his  fields  withstood. 

Some  mute,  inglorious  Milton  here  may  rest. 
Some  Cromwell,  guiltless  of  his  country's  blood. 

Th'  applause  of  listening  senates  to  command. 
The  threats  of  pain  and  ruin  to  despise. 

To  scatter  plenty  o'er  a  smiling  land. 

And  read  their  history  in  a  nation's  eyes — 

Their  lot  forbade:  nor  circumscribed  alone 
Their  growing  virtues,  but  their  crimes  confined 

Forbade  to  wade  through  slaughter  to  a  throne. 
And  shut  the  gates  of  mercy  on  mankind; 


GRAY'S  ELEGY  19^ 


The  struggling  pangs  of  conscious  truth  to  hide, 
To  quench  the  blushes  of  ingenuous  shame. 

Or  heap  the  shrine  of  Luxury  and  Pride 
With  incense  kindled  at  the  Muse's  flame. 

Far  from  the  madding  crowd's  ignoble  strife. 
Their  sober  wishes  never  Icarn'd  to  stray; 

Along  the  cool  sequestered  vale  of  life 
They  kept  the  noiseless  tenor  of  their  way. 

Yet  even  these  bones  from  insult  to  protect, 
Some  frail  memorial  still  erected  nigh. 

With  uncouth  rhymes    and    shapeless    sculpture 
decked. 
Implores  the  passing  tribute  of  a  sigh. 

Their  name,  their  years,  spelt  by  th'  unlettered 
muse. 

The  place  of  fame  and  elegy  supply; 
And  many  a  holy  text  around  she  strews. 

That  teach  the  rustic  moralist  to  die. 

For  who,  to  dumb  forgetfulness  a  prey. 
This  pleasing  anxious  being  e'er  resigned. 

Left  the  warm  precincts  of  the  cheerful  day. 
Nor  cast  one  longing  lingering  look  behind? 

On  some  fond  breast  the  parting  soul  relies. 
Some  pious  drops  the  closing  eye  requires; 

E'en  from  the  tomb  the  voice  of  Nature  cries. 
E'en  in  our  ashes  live  their  wonted  fires. 


194  STUDIES  IN  READING 

For  thee,  who,  mindful  of  th'  unhonored  dead. 
Dost  in  these  lines  their  artless  tale  relate, 

If  chance,  by  lonely  contemplation  led. 

Some  kindred  spirit  shall  inquire  thy  fate. 

Haply  some  hoary-headed  swain  may  say, 
"Oft  have  we  seen  him  at  the  peep  of  dawn 

Brushing  with  hasty  steps  the  dews  awaj% 
To  meet  the  sun  upon  the  upland  lawn. 

"There  at  the  foot  of  yonder  nodding  beech. 
That  wreathes  its  old  fantastic  roots  so  high. 

His  listless  length  at  noontide  would  he  stretch. 
And  pore  upon  the  brook  that  babbles  b3\ 

"Hard  by  yon  wood,  now  smiling  as  in  scorn. 
Muttering  his  wayward  fancies  he  would  rove; 

Now  drooping,  woeful-wan,  like  one  forlorn, 
Or  crazed  with  care,  or  crossed  in  hopeless  love. 

"One  morn  I  missed  him  on  the  customed  hill. 
Along  the  heath,  and  near  his  favorite  tree; 

Another  came;  nor  yet  beside  the  rill. 

Nor  up  the  lawn,  nor  at  the  wood  was  he; 

"The  next,  with  dirges  due  in  sad  array. 

Slow  through  the  church-way  path  we  saw  him 
borne. 

Approach  and  read  (for  thou  canst  read)  the  lay 
Graved  on  the  stone  beneath  yon  aged  thorn." 


GRAY'S  ELEGY  195 


The  Epitaph 
Here  rests  his  head  upon  the  lap  of  Earth 

A  youth,  to  Fortune  and  to  Fame  unknown; 
Fair  Science  frowned  not  on  his  humble  birth, 

And  Melancholy  marked  him  for  her  own. 

Large  was  his  bounty,  and  his  soul  sincere. 
Heaven  did  a  recompense  as  largely  send; 

He  gave  to  Misery  all  he  had,  a  tear. 
He  gained  from  Heaven  ('twas  all  he  wished)  a 
friend. 

No  farther  seek  his  merits  to  disclose. 

Or  draw  his  frailties  from  their  dread  abode, 

(There  they  alike  in  trembling  hope  repose) 
The  bosom  of  his  Father  and  his  God. 

— Thomas  Gray. 

NOTES 

1.  Curfeio.     From     the     French,     couvre    feu,     cover     the     fire. 

"Nearly  a  thousand  years  ago,  it  was  the  custom  in  Eng- 
lish villages  to  ring  a  bell  at  nightfall  as  a  signal  for  peo- 
ple to  cover  their  fires  with  ashes  to  preserve  them  till 
morning,  and  as  a  signal  for  bed."  To-day  we  have  a  cur- 
few bell  in  many  villages  to  keep  the  children  off  the  streets 
after  a  certain  hour  in  the  evening. 

2.  Knell.     "The  stroke  of  a  bell  tolled  at  a  funeral  or  at  the 

death  of  a  person."  The  word  here  sounds  the  first  mourn- 
ful note  of  the  poem. 

3.  The  ploioman — way.     Someone  has  pointed  out  the  fact  that 

this  line  may  be  changed  into  twenty  different  forms  and 
yet  preserve  the  rhythm,  sentiment,  and  rhyming  word. 
See  how  many  different  variations  you  can  make. 

4.  Rude.     Uneducated. 


196  STUDIES  IN  READING 


5.  Lowly   bed.     Tlie  grave. 

6.  Stulhorn  glehe.     The  tough  turf,  or  sod. 

7.  Ambition.     Capitalized  because  it  is  porsonified  to  represent 

ambitious  persons.  Grandeur  is  similarly  personified  to 
represent  persons   of  rank  or  title. 

8.  Awaits.     The   inevitable    hour    aicaits    .     .     . 

9.  Storied  urn.     An    urn-shaped   monument   inscribed   with   the 

virtues  of  the  dead. 

10.  Animated  bust.     A  bust  looking  natural  as  life. 

11.  Pregnant  with  celestial  fire.     Filled  with  divine  inspiration. 

12.  Waked — living  lyre.     "To  write  the  noblest  poetry." 

13.  Hampden  —  Milton  —  Cromwell.     Look    up    the    history    of 

each. 

14.  Or  heap  the  shrine  —  Muse's  flame.     Gray  here  condemns  a 

current  practice  on  the  part  of  the  English  poets  to  write 
flattering  verses  concerning  the  nobility  in  order  to  obtain 
favor  or  money  from  the  nobility. 

15.  Madding.     Excited. 

16.  Sequestered  vale.     Secluded  spot. 

17.  Frail  memorial.     Simple  headstones. 

18.  Uncouth  rhymes.     Strange,  unpolished  rhymes. 

19.  For  thee.     The  poet  here  refers  to  himself.     The  remainder  of 

the  poem  refers  to  the  poet's  ow^n  probable  fate. 

20.  Dirges  due.     Appropriate  dirges. 

21.  Read  any  good  account  of  the  life  of  Gray. 

22.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions  as  here  used:  curfew,  circumscribed,  knell, 
droning  flight,  drowsy  tinklings,  folds,  moping,  bower,  soli- 
tary reign,  rude,  clarion,  glebe,  jocund,  trophies,  animated, 
fretted  vault,  celestial  fire,  purest  ray  serene,  ingenuous, 
madding,  sequestered,  elegy,  dirges  due,  melancholy. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Describe  the  scene  of  this  poem. 

2.  How  long  was  Gray  in  writing  the  finished  poem? 

3.  What  in  the  first  stanza  tells  the  time  of  day? 

4.  What   tells   us   at  the   start   something  of   the   mood   of   the 

poem? 

5.  Is  "air"  in  stanza  2   the  subject  or  object  of  the  clause? 


GRAY'S  ELEGY  197 


G.  Explain  the  last  line  of  stanza  2.     Why  "drowsy  tinklings" ': 

7.  What  is  meant  by  "ancient  solitary  reign"  ? 

8.  In  what  sense  were  the  forefathers  "rude"? 

9.  What  is  meant  by  "narrow  cell"? 

10.  What  experiences   they  once  had   are  theirs   no  more  ? 

11.  Sketch  in  yovir  oavti  words  the  picture  of  the  simple  life  lived 

by   the  forefathers. 

12.  Explain   "Let  not   Ambition  mock      .       .       .      poor." 

13.  What  historic  incident  has  endeared  the  next' stanza? 

14.  Answer  the  questions  in  the  stanza  beginning,   "Can  storied 

urn     .      .      .    ." 

15.  What  is  the  mansion  of  the  fleeting  breath  ? 

16.  Explain  "heart  once  pregnant  with  celestial  fire." 

17.  Explain  "waked  to  ecstasy  the  living  lyre." 

18.  In  what  sense  did  Knowledge  ne'er  unroll  her  ample  page  to 

them? 

19.  Explain  "noble  rage,"  "genial  current  of  the  soul." 

20.  Memorize  and  explain  the  meaning  of  the  stanza  beginning, 

"Full  many  a  gem     .      .      .    ." 

21.  Who  was  Hampden?     Milton?     Cromwell? 

22.  What   is   meant  by   saying   that   some    Hampden,   Milton,   or 

Cromwell   may   rest  here   in   the   churchyard? 

23.  Just   what   did   the    humble   position   of   these   people   forbid 

them  to  do? 

24.  Explain  "heap  the  shrine     .      .      .     Muse's  flame." 

25.  What  is  "the  madding  crowd's  ignoble  strife"? 

26.  What  shows  the  secluded  life  led  by  these  people? 

27.  Explain  "frail  memorial,"  "uncouth  rhymes,"  "holy  text." 

28.  Explain  the  meaning  of  the  question  in  the  stanza,  "For  who, 

to   dumb   forgetfulness      .       .       .      look   behind"? 

29.  What  does  the  poet  see  is  to  be  his  own  fate  ? 

30.  After  all  his  life  of  service,  what  are  people  likely  to  sa}'  of 

him  one  day? 

31.  From  the  "Epitaph,"  what  do  you  think  Gray  valued  most 

highly? 

32.  What  are  the  least  rewards  with  which  any  individual  should 

be  content? 

33.  What  great  truths  of  life  are  given  in  this  poem  ? 

34.  To  what  do  you  think  the  popularity  of  this  poem  is  due  ? 


198  STUDIES  IN  READING 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Bryant:  Thanatopsis. 

Knox:  Oh,  Why  Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  Be  Proud? 

Tennyson  :  Crossing  the  Bar. 

Browning:    Prospice.  By  the  Fireside. 

Emerson:  Terminus. 

Dickens  :  Death  of  Little  Nell. 

Wordsworth:   Intimations  on  Immortality. 

Hayne:   In  Harbor. 

McCreeny  :   There  is  no  Death. 

Arnold  :   The  Secret  of  Death. 

Whittier:  The  Answer. 


TAKE  JOY  HOME 

Take  joy  home, 
And  make  a  place  in  thy  great  heart  for  her. 
And  give  her  time  to  grow,  and  cherish  her, 
Then  will  she  come   and  oft  wall  sing  to  thee. 
When  thou  art  working  in  the  furrows;  ay. 
Or  weeding  in  the  sacred  heart  of  dawn. 

It  is  a  comely  fashion  to  be  glad: 

Joy  is  the  grace  we  say  to  God. 
There  is  a  rest  remaining.     Hast  thou  sinned? 
There  is  a  sacrifice.    Lift  up  thy  head : 
The  lovely  world  and  the  over-world  alike 
Ring  with  a  song  eterne,  a  happy  rede: 
"Thy  Father  loves  thee." 

— Jean  Ingelow. 


SPARTACUS   TO   THE    GLADIATORS 

npHE  story  of  Spartacus  is  an  interesting 
chapter  in  the  history  of  the  struggle  for 
hberty.  Great  training  schools  for  gladiators 
were  established  in  Rome,  Capua,  Ravenna,  and 
other  cities.  These  gladiators  were,  for  the 
most  part,  slaves,  captives,  or  condemned  crim- 
inals. They  were  forced  to  fight  each  other  to 
the  death  in  the  arena  in  order  to  amuse  the 
Roman  populace  now  frenzied  with  the  blood  of 
conquests  and  civil  strife.  Spartacus,  a  Thracian 
by  birth,  was  captured  during  the  conquest  of 
Northern  Greece,  sold  as  a  slave,  and  sent  to  the 
training  school  at  Capua.  Here  he  was  trained 
as  a  skilful  fighter,  and  for  twelve  years  was 
hired  out  to  fight  at  public  and  at  private  enter- 
tainments. An  educated  Greek,  with  all  the 
Greek  love  of  liberty,  he  naturally  resented  such 
cruel  and  bloody  slavery,  yet  in  every  combat  he 
fought  as  became  a  valiant  soldier. 

After  having  proven  his  prowess  and  skill  in 
many  a  combat,  Spartacus  incited  the  gladia- 
torial slaves  at  Capua  to  insurrection,  and  finally 
escaped  with  seventy  comrades  to  the  crater  of 
Mt.  Vesuvius.     Here  he  issued  a  general  eman- 

199 


200  STUDIES  IN  READING 


cipation  proclamation  to  all  the  slaves  of  Italy. 
For  three  years  he  defied  the  Roman  power. 
Four  Roman  armies  met  disaster  at  the  hands  of 
his  band.  With  a  large  force,  he  marched  past 
Rome,  entered  the  Po  valley,  and  planned  to 
cross  the  Alps,  disband  his  army,  and  send  his 
warriors  as  freedmen  to  their  homes.  His  men 
refused  to  leave  Italy,  and  demanded  that  they 
be  led  against  Rome.  During  the  campaign 
against  Rome,  the  slave  army  met  many  reverses, 
was  finally  defeated,  and  Spartacus  was  slain. 

The  following  speech  is  supposed  to  give  the 
sentiment  in  the  heart  of  Spartacus  w^ho,  after 
twelve  years  of  bloody  combats  on  the  arena 
sands,  determined  to  stir  up  his  fellow  captives 
to  strike  for  liberty. 

SPARTACUS  TO  THE  GLADIATORS 

It  had  been  a  day  of  triumph  at  Capua.  Lentu- 
lus,  returning  with  victorious  eagles,  had  amused 
the  populace  with  the  sports  of  the  amphitheatre 
to  an  extent  hitherto  unknown  even  in  that  luxuri- 
ous city.  The  shouts  of  revelry  had  died  away; 
the  roar  of  the  lion  had  ceased;  the  last  loiterer 
had  retired  from  the  banquet;  and  the  lights  in 
the  palace  of  the  victor  were  extinguished.  The 
moon,  piercing  the  tissue  of  fleecy  clouds,  silvered 
the  dewdrop  on  the  corselet  of  the  Roman  sen- 
tinel, and  tipped  the  dark  waters  of  Volturnus  with 


SPARTACUS    TO   THE    GLADIATORS       201 

wavy,  tremulous  light.  It  was  a  night  of  holy 
calm,  when  the  zephyr  sways  the  young  spring 
leaves,  and  whispers  among  the  hollow  reeds  its 
dreamy  music.  No  sound  was  heard  save  the  last 
sob  of  some  retiring  wave,  telling  its  story  to  the 
smooth  pebbles  of  the  beach;  and  then  all  was 
still  as  the  breast  when  the  spirit  has  departed. 

In  the  deep  recesses  of  the  amphitheatre,  a  band 
of  gladiators  were  assembled,  their  muscles  still 
knotted  with  the  agony  of  conflict,  the  foam  upon 
their  lips,  the  scowl  of  battle  yet  lingering  on  their 
brows,  w^hen  Spartacus,  rising  in  the  midst  of 
that  grim  assemblage,  thus  addressed  them: — 

"Ye  call  me  chief;  and  ye  do  well  to  call  him 
chief  who  for  twelve  long  years  has  met  upon  the 
arena  every  shape  of  man  or  beast  the  broad  Em- 
pire of  Rome  could  furnish,  and  who  never  yet 
lowered  his  arm.  If  there  be  one  among  you  who 
can  say  that  ever,  in  public  fight  or  private  brawl, 
my  actions  did  belie  my  tongue,  let  him  stand  forth 
and  say  it.  If  there  be  three  in  all  your  com- 
pany dare  face  me  on  the  bloody  sands,  let  them 
come  on.  And  yet  I  was  not  always  thus, — a  hired 
butcher,  a  savage  chief  of  still  more  savage  men! 
My  ancestors  came  from  old  Sparta,  and  settled 
among  the  vine-clad  rocks  and  citron  groves  of 
Syrasella.  My  early  life  ran  quiet  as  the  brooks 
by  which  I  sported;  and  w^hen,  at  noon,  I  gathered 
the  sheep  beneath  the  shade,  and  played  upon  the 
shepherd's  flute,  there  was  a  friend,  the  son  of 
a  neighbor,  to  join  me  in  the  pastime.    We  led  our 


202  STUDIES  IN  READING 

flocks  to  the  same  pasture,  and  partook  together 
our  rustic  meal.  One  evening,  after  the  sheep 
were  folded,  and  we  were  all  seated  beneath  the 
myrtle  which  shaded  our  cottage,  my  grandsire, 
an  old  man,  was  telling  of  Marathon  and  Leuctra; 
and  how,  in  ancient  times,  a  little  band  of  Spar- 
tans, in  a  defile  of  the  mountains,  had  withstood  a 
whole  army.  I  did  not  then  know  w^hat  war  was; 
but  my  cheeks  burned,  I  know  not  w^hy,  and  I 
clasped  the  knees  of  that  venerable  man,  until  my 
mother,  parting  the  hair  from  off  my  forehead, 
kissed  my  throbbing  temples,  and  bade  me  go  to 
rest,  and  think  no  more  of  those  old  tales  and 
savage  wars.  That  very  night,  the  Romans  landed 
on  our  coast.  I  saw  the  breast  that  had  nourished 
me  trampled  by  the  hoof  of  the  warhorse;  the 
bleeding  body  of  my  father  flung  amidst  the  blaz- 
ing rafters  of  our  dwelling!  To-day  I  killed  a  man 
in  the  arena;  and  when  I  broke  his  helmet-clasps, 
behold!  he  was  my  friend.  He  knew  me,  smiled 
faintly,  gasped  and  died; — the  same  sweet  smile 
upon  his  lips  that  I  had  marked,  when,  in  adven- 
turous boyhood,  we  scaled  the  lofty  cliff  to  pluck 
the  first  ripe  grapes,  and  bear  them  home  in  child- 
ish triumph !  I  told  the  praetor  that  the  dead  man 
had  been  my  friend,  generous  and  brave;  and  I 
begged  that  I  might  bear  away  the  body  to  burn 
it  on  a  funeral  pile  and  mourn  over  its  ashes.  Ay! 
upon  my  knees,  amid  the  dust  and  blood  of  the 
arena,  I  begged  that  poor  boon,  while  all  the  as- 
sembled maids  and  matrons,  and  the  holy  virgins 


SPARTACUS  TO  THE  GLADIATORS         203 

they  call  Vestals,  and  the  rabble,  shouted  in  de- 
rision, deeming  it  rare  sport,  forsooth,  to  see 
Rome's  fiercest  gladiator  turn  pale  and  tremble  at 
sight  of  that  piece  of  bleeding  clay!  And  the 
praetor  drew  back  as  if  I  were  pollution,  and 
sternly  said,  'Let  the  carrion  rot;  there  are  no 
noble  men  but  Romans!'  And  so,  fellow  gladia- 
tors, must  you,  and  so  must  I,  die  like  dogs.  O 
Rome,  Rome!  thou  hast  been  a  tender  nurse  to 
me.  Ay,  thou  hast  given  to  that  poor,  gentle,  timid 
shepherd  lad,  who  never  knew  a  harsher  tone 
than  a  flute-note,  muscles  of  iron  and  a  heart  of 
flint;  taught  him  to  drive  the  sword  through 
plaited  mail  and  links  of  brass,  and  warm  it  in  the 
marrow  of  his  foe;  to  gaze  into  the  glaring  eye- 
balls of  the  fierce  Nuinidian  lion  even  as  a  boy 
upon  a  laughing  girl!  And  he  shall  pay  thee  back, 
until  thy  yellow  Tiber  is  red  as  flowing  wine,  and 
in  its  deepest  ooze  thy  life-blood  lies  curdled ! 

Ye  stand  here  now  like  giants,  as  ye  are!  The 
strength  of  brass  is  in  your  tightened  sinews;  but 
to-morrow  some  Roman  Adonis,  breathing  sweet 
perfume  from  his  curly  locks,  shall  with  his  lily 
fingers  pat  your  red  brawn,  and  bet  his  sesterces 
upon  your  blood.  Hark,  hear  ye  yon  lion  roaring 
in  his  den?  'Tis  three  days  since  he  tasted  flesh; 
but  to-morrow  he  will  break  his  fast  upon  yours, 
and  a  dainty  meal  for  him  ye  will  be.  If  ye  are 
beasts,  then  stand  here  like  fat  oxen,  waiting  for 
the  butcher's  knife!  If  ye  are  men — follow  me! 
Strike  down  yon  guard,  gain  the  mountain  passes. 


204  STUDIES  IN  READING 

and  there  do  bloody  work,  as  did  your  sires  at  old 
Thermopylae!  Is  Sparta  dead?  Is  the  old  Gre- 
cian spirit  frozen  in  your  veins,  that  you  do  crouch 
and  cower  like  a  belabored  hound  beneath  his 
master's  lash?  0  comrades,  warriors,  Thracians! 
if  we  must  fight,  let  us  fight  for  ourselves.  If  we 
must  slaughter,  let  us  slaughter  our  oppressors! 
If  we  must  die,  let  it  be  under  the  clear  sky,  by 
the  bright  waters,  in  noble,  honorable  battle! 

— Elijah  Kellogg. 

NOTES 

1.  Gladiators.     Gladiatorial    combats    originated    in    Etruria   in 

northern  Italy.  The  early  Etruscans  first  slew  the  pris- 
oners upon  the  grave  of  a  dead  warrior,  as  blood  thus  shed 
was  thought  to  delight  the  shades  that  hovered  over  the 
dead.  Later,  the  prisoners  were  made  to  fight  and  kill  each 
other,  this  being  thought  more  humane  than  cold-blooded 
slaughter.  The  Romans  adopted  the  custom  in  modified 
form.  The  first  gladiatorial  show  in  Rome  was  held  in  one 
of  the  forums  and  was  presented  by  two  sons  at  the  funeral 
of  their  father,  264  B.  C.  The  public  taste  for  these  bloody 
spectacles  grew  until  imperial  days  saw  Rome  fairly  infatu- 
ated by  blood  and  slaughter. 

2.  Volturnus.     A  river  near  Capua. 

3.  Arena.     The   large   open   space    in   the  amphitheatre.     Some- 

times it  was  covered  with  sand  for  the  gladiatorial  shows, 
sometimes  flooded  for  naval  v  tar  .bats. 

4.  ProBtor.     A  Roman  oflicial  performing  the  office  of  judge  and 

interpreter  of  the  laws. 

5.  Vestals.     The  six  virgins,  called  vestal  virgins,  who  kept  the 

sacred  fires  burning  in  the  temple  of  Vesta,  the  household 
goddess,  from  generation  to  generation. 

0.  Numidian  lion.  The  most  ferocious  lions  used  in  the  arena 
were  brought  from  Numidia  in  northern  Africa. 

7.  Roman  Adonis.  A  Roman  nobleman  having  the  fine  manners 
and  winning  ways  of  the  Greek  god,  Adonis,  who  capti- 
vated Venus  by  his  charms. 


SPARTACUS  TO  THE  GLADIATORS        205 

8.  Sesterces.     The  sestertius  was  a  Roman  coin  commonly  used 

as  a  unit  of  value.     The  term  sesterces  as  here  used  is  a 
general  term  for  money. 

9.  Thracian.     Thrace,  a  country  north  and  east  of  Greece,  touch- 

ing the  Black  Sea. 
10.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 
expressions:  gladiator,  arena,  private  brawl,  belie,  defile, 
venerable,  praetor,  funeral  pile,  derision,  pollution,  carrion, 
plaited  mail,  ooze,  tightened  sinews,  Adonis,  sesterces,  be- 
labored hound,  amphitheatre,  victorious  eagles,  corselet. 

EXERCISES 

\.  How  did  Spartacus  come  to  be  a  gladiator? 

2.  What  kind  of  gladiator  had  he  proved  himself  to  be  ? 

3.  Just  who  were  these  gladiators? 

4.  Tell  the  origin  of  gladiatorial  combats. 

5.  In  what  sense  was  Spartacus  "a  savage  chief  of  still  more 

savage  men"? 

6.  What  tells  of  the  simplicity  of  his  early  life? 

7.  Why  should  the  boy's  cheeks  bum  as  he  heard  the  tales  of 

Spartan  heroism? 

8.  What  cause  had  he  to  hate  the  Romans? 

9.  Why  does  he  mention  the  killing  of  his  friend  ? 

10.  Why  does  the  praetor  not  grant  the  boon  asked? 

11.  Why  did  the  crowd  shout  in  derision? 

12.  What  lessons  had  Rome  taught  him? 

13.  What  points  does  Spartacus  make  in  his  final  appeal  to  the 

gladiators  ? 

14.  What  is  the  highest  motive  to  which  he  appeals? 

15.  In  what  sense  does  he  regard  battle  as  "noble,  honorable"? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

MiTFORD:  Rienzi's  Address. 

Patten:  The  Seminole's  Defiance. 

Knowles:  William  Tell  Among  the  Mountains. 

Montgomery:  Arnold  von  Winkelried. 

Browning:   Incident  of  a  French  Camp. 

Halleck  :  Marco  Bozzaris. 


206  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Bybon:    The  Isles  of  Greece. 

Hale  :  The  Man  Without  a  Country. 

Bryant:  William  Tell. 

Wendell  Phillips:  Toussaint  L'Ouverture. 

Whittier:  Toussaint  L'Ouverture. 

Story  of  David  and  Goliath. 


ON  HIS  BLINDNESS 

When  I  consider  how  my  light  is  spent 

Ere  half  my  days  in  this  dark  world  and  wide. 
And  that  one  talent  which  is  death  to  hide 

Lodged  with  me  useless,  though  my  soul  more  bent 

To  serve  therewith  my  Maker,  and  present 
My  true  account,  lest  He  returning  chide, 
"Doth  God  exact  day-labor,  light  denied?" 

I  fondly  ask.     But  Patience,  to  prevent 
That  murmur^  soon  replies,  "God  doth  not  need 

Either  man's  work  or  his  own  gifts.    Who  best 

Bear  his  mild  yoke,  they  serve  him  best.   His  state 
Is  kingly:   thousands  at  his  bidding  speed. 

And  post  o'er  land  and  ocean  without  rest; 

They  also  serve  who  only  stand  and  w^ait." 

— John  Milton. 


THE    LOSS    OF    THE    BIRKENHEAD 

'T~^HE  world  has  been  long  engaged  in  a  vain 
search  for  a  true  definition  of  bravery. 
Such  a  definition  seems  impossible  at  present, 
but  thousands  of  instances  might  be  cited 
where  some  phase  of  true  bravery  was  exempli- 
fied. When  a  display  of  heroism  is  made  with 
no  possibility  or  hope  of  reward,  it  arouses  uni- 
versal admiration.  Such  incidents  are  the  de- 
light of  the  poet,  and  literature  abounds  in  the 
narration  of  them. 

In  1852,  a  steamer.  The  Birkenhead,  engaged 
in  carrying  soldiers,  struck  on  a  hidden  rock 
during  one  of  her  voyages.  She  sank  soon  after 
striking,  carrying  with  her  more  than  four  hun- 
dred soldiers.  Though  this  accident  occurred  off 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  many  miles  from  their 
native  England  and  not  in  the  midst  of  the 
characteristic  scenes  of  the  battlefield,  these  he- 
roes were  honored  as  seldom  falls  to  the  lot  of  the 
ordinary  soldier.  In  the  following  selection,  it  is 
supposed  that  one  who  survived  the  wreck  tells 
the  story. 


207 


208  STUDIES  IN  READING 

THE  LOSS  OF  THE  BIRKENHEAD 

Right  on  our  flank  the  crimson  sun  went  down; 

The  deep  sea  rolled  around  in  dark  repose; 
When,  like  the  wild  shriek  from  some  captured 
town, 

A  cry  of  women  rose. 

The  stout  ship  Birkenhead  lay  hard  and  fast, 
Caught  without  hope  upon  a  hidden  rock; 

Her  timbers  thrilled  as  nerves,  when  through  them 
passed 
The  spirit  of  that  shock. 

And  ever  like  base  cowards,  who  leave  their  ranks 
In  danger's  hour,  before  the  rush  of  steel. 

Drifted  away  disorderly  the  planks 
From  underneath  her  keel. 

Then  amidst  oath,  and  prayer,  and  rush,  and 
wreck, 

Faint  screams,  faint  questions  waiting  no  reply. 
Our  colonel  gave  the  word,  and  on  the  deck 

Formed  us  in  line  to  die. 

To  die !  'Twas  hard,  whilst  the  sleek  ocean  glowed 
Beneath  a  sky  as  fair  as  summer  flowers; 

All  to  the  boats!  cried  one;  he  was,  thank  God, 
No  officer  of  ours. 


THE   LOSS   OF   THE   BIRKENHEAD        209 

Our  English  hearts  beat  true;  we  would  not  stii-; 

That  base  appeal  we  heard,  but  heeded  not; 
On  land,  on  sea,  we  had  our  colors,  sir. 

To  keep  without  a  spot. 

They  shall  not  say  in  England,  that  we  fought 
With  shameful  strength,  unhonored  life  to  seek; 

Into  mean  safety,  mean  deserters  brought 
By  trampling  down  the  weak. 

So  we  made  women  with  their  children  go; 

The  oars  ply  back  again,  and  yet  again; 
Whilst  inch  by  inch,  the  drowning  ship  sank  low. 

Still  under  steadfast  men. 

What  follows,  why  recall?    The  brave  who  died. 
Died  without  flinching  in  the  bloody  surf. 

They  sleep  as  well,  beneath  that  purple  tide. 
As  others  under  turf. 

If  that  day's  work  no  clasp  or  medal  mark; 

If  each  proud  heart  no  cross  of  bronze  may 
press. 
Nor  cannon  thunder  loud  from  Tower  or  Park, 

This  feel  we  none  the  less: — 

That  those  whom  God's  high  grace  there  saved 
from  ill, 
Those  also  left  His  martyrs  in  the  bay. 
Though  not  by  siege,  though  not  in  battle,  still 
Full  well  had  earned  their  pay. 

—Sir  F.  H.  Doyle. 


210  STUDIES  IN  READING 


NOTES 

1.  Whenever  success  is  won  by  the  army,  the  British  government 

orders  cannon  to  be  fired  in  London. 

2.  The  British  soldier,  who  performs  some  deed  of  gallantry,  may 

be  given  a  Victoria  Cross,  a  small  bronze  badge.     Nothing 
is  more  ardently  sought  than  this  honor. 

3.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions:      flank,   rush   of   steel,   keel,   bronze,   martyrs, 
flinching,  thrilled,  siege. 

EXERCISES 

1.  From  the  opening  lines,  what  kind  of  voyage  does  this  seem 

to  have  been? 

2.  If  the  ship's  timbers  "thrilled  as  nerves,"  what  do  you  know 

as  to  the  force  of  the  blow? 

3.  Why  should  the  colonel  form  the  men  in  line? 

4.  What  tells  us  that  the  soldiers  felt  the  temptation  to  disre- 

gard commands? 

5.  If  the  command,  "All  to  the  boats,"  had  been  obeyed,  what 

would  have  been  the  result? 

6.  Why  does  the  narrator  thank  God  that  this  order  did  not 

come  from  the  officer? 

7.  What  does  he  mean  by  "keeping  the  colors  without  a  spot"  ? 

8.  Why  did  not  a  few  men  go  with  the  women  and  children  ? 

9.  What  is  the  emphatic  word  in,  "If  that  day's  work  no  clasp 

or  medal  mark"? 

10.  What  emphatic  word  in  the  line  following? 

11.  In  "This  feel  we  none  the  less,'*  what  is  the  emphatic  word? 

12.  Who  were    "those  whom  God's  high  grace  tliere  saved  from 

ill"? 

13.  Who  were   "Those  also  left  His  martyrs  in  the  bay"? 

14.  What  was  their  "pay"? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Nathan  Hale  :  The  Martyr  Spy. 
Longfellow:  Paul  Revere'a  Ride. 
Emerson:  Concord  Hymn. 
Tennyson  :  Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade. 


THE   LOSS   OF   THE   BIRKENHEAD        211 


Browning:  The  Patriot. 

Dickens  :  The  Wreck. 

Montgomery:    Make  Way  for  Liberty. 

Read:  The  Rising  in  1776. 

Macaulay:  Horatius  at  the  Bridge. 


SATISFIED* 
Love  wore  a  threadbare  dress  of  gray, 
And  toiled  upon  the  road  all  day. 
Love  wielded  pick  and  carried  pack 
And  bent  to  heavy  loads  the  back. 

Though  meager-fed  and  sorely  tasked, 
One  only  wage  Love  ever  asked — 
A  child's  white  face  to  kiss  at  night, 
A  woman's  smile  by  candle-light. 

— Margaret  E.  Sangster 


PLEASURES 
But  pleasures  are  like  poppies  spread. 
You  seize  the  flower,  its  bloom  is  shed ! 
Or  like  the  snowfall  in  the  river, 
A  moment  white — then  melts  forever; 
Or  like  the  borealis  race, 
That  flit  ere  you  can  point  their  place; 
Or  like  the  rainbow's  lovely  form. 
Evanishing  amid  the  storm. 

— Robert  Barns. 


*Reprinted  from  Lippincott's  Magazine,  March,  1900,  and  used 
by  the  courteous  permission  of  the  publishers,  J.  B.  Lippincott 
Company. 


THE   RAVEN 

T  N  The  Raven,  as  in  everything  else  Poe  wrote, 
there  is  a  "weird  and  marvelous  music." 
Everything  poetical,  he  thought,  could  be  inter- 
preted by  sound.  He  even  declared  he  "could 
distinctly  hear  the  sound  of  the  darkness  as  it 
stole  over  the  horizon."  While  the  music  of  the 
poem  is  admitted,  its  message  is  variously  inter- 
preted. Some  have  called  The  Raven  a  poem  of 
remorse,  the  raven  symbolizing  regret  for  a  mis- 
spent life.  Some  have  declared  the  poem  to  be 
symbolical  of  the  vanity  and  fruitlessness  of  hu- 
man life.  Others  have  regarded  it  as  an  ill- 
omened  prophecy  of  the  author's  own  future. 
Many  others  have  insisted  that  the  poem  is 
merely  a  lover's  lament  for  his  lost  love. 

Poe  himself,  in  his  Philosophy  of  Composition 
published  in  Graham's  Magazine,  April,  1846, 
gives  the  real  meaning  of  the  poem  as  he  con- 
ceived it. 

"I  had  now  gone  so  far  as  the  conception  of 
a  Raven — the  bird  of  ill  omen — monotonously 
repeating  the  one  word  'Nevermore,'  at  the 
conclusion  of  each  stanza,  in  a  poem  of  melan- 
choly tone,  and  in  length  about  one  hundred 
lines. — "Of  all  melancholy  topics,  what,  accord- 

212 


THE  RAVEN  213 


ing  to  the  universal  understanding  of  mankind, 
is  the  most  melancholy?"  Death — ^was  the  obvi- 
ous reply.  "And  when,"  I  said,  "is  the  most 
melancholy  of  topics  most  poetical?" — The  an- 
swer, here  also  is  obvious — "When  it  most  closely 
allies  itself  to  Beauty;  the  death  then,  of  a  beau- 
tiful woman  is,  unquestionably,  the  most  poetical 
topic  in  the  world — and  equally  is  it  beyond 
doubt  that  the  lips  best  suited  for  such  topic 
are  those  of  a  bereaved  lover.  I  had  now  to  com- 
bine the  two  ideas,  of  a  lover  lamenting  his  de- 
ceased mistress  and  a  Raven  continuously  re- 
peating the  word  'Nevermore'  " — a  word  at  first 
being  merely  a  commonplace  answer  to  a  com- 
monplace question,  but  finally  involving  "the 
utmost  conceivable  amount  of  sorrow  and 
despair." 

"I  determined,  then,  to  place  the  lover  in  his 
chamber — a  chamber  rendered  sacred  to  him  by 
memories  of  her  who  had  frequented  it.  The 
room  is  represented  as  richly  furnished. 

"I  made  the  night  tempestuous,  first,  to  ac- 
count for  the  Raven's  seeking  admission,  and 
secondly,  for  the  effect  of  contrast  with  the 
(physical)  serenity  within  the  chamber. 

"I  made  the  bird  alight  on  the  bust  of  Pallas, 
also  for  the  effect  of  contrast  between  the  marble 
and  the  plumage — ^the  bust  of  Pallas  being 
chosen,  first,  as  most  in  keeping  with  the  scholar- 


214  STUDIES  IN  READING 

ship  of  the  lover,  and,  secondly,  for  the  sonorous- 
ness of  the  word,  Pallas,  itself. 

"The  undercurrent  of  meaning  is  rendered 
first  apparent  in  the  lines:  '    ' 

"Take  thy  beak  from  out  my  heart,  and  take  thy 
form  from  off  my  door!" 

Quoth  the  Raven,  "Nevermore!" 

"It  will  be  observed  that  the  words,  'from  out 
my  heart,'  involve  the  first  metaphorical  expres- 
sion in  the  poem.  They,  with  the  answer,  'Xever- 
more,'  dispose  the  mind  to  seek  a  moral  in  all 
that  has  been  previously  narrated.  The  reader 
begins  now  to  regard  the  Raven  as  emblem- 
atical— but  it  is  not  until  the  very  last  line  of 
the  very  last  stanza,  that  the  intention  of  making 
him  emblematical  of  Mournful  and  Never-ending 
Remembrance  is  permitted  distinctly  to  be  seen." 

THE  RAVEN 

Once  upon  a  midnight  dreary,  while  I  pondered, 
weak  and  weary. 

Over  many  a  quaint  and  curious  vohunc  of  for- 
gotten lore, — 

While  I  nodded,  nearly  napping,  suddenly  there 
came  a  tapping, 

As  of  some  one  gently  rapping,  rapping  at  my 
chamber  door. 


THE  RAVEN  215 


"  'Tis  some  visitor,"  I  muttered,  "tapping  at  my 
chamber  door; 

Only  tliis,  and  notliing  more.*' 

Ah,  distinctly  I  remember,   it   was   in   the   bleak 

December, 
And  each  separate  dying  ember  wrought  its  ghost 

upon  the  floor. 
Eagerly  I  wished  the  morrow;  vainly  I  had  sought 

to  borrow 
From  my  books  surcease  of  sorrow,  sorrow  for  the 

lost  Lenore, — 
For  the  rare  and  radiant  maiden  whom  the  angels 

name  Lenore, — 

Nameless  here  forevermore. 

And  the  silken,  sad,  uncertain  rustling  of  each  pur- 
ple curtain 

Thrilled  me, — filled  me  with  fantastic  terrors  never 
felt  before; 

So  that  now,  to  still  the  beating  of  my  heart,  I 
stood  repeating, 

"  Tis  some  visitor  entreating  entrance  at  my  cham- 
ber door, — 

Some  late  visitor  entreating  entrance  at  my  cham- 
ber door; 

That  it  is,  and  nothing  more." 

Presently  my  soul  grew  stronger;  hesitating  then 

no  longer, 
"Sir,"  said  I,  "or  Madam,  truly  your  forgiveness  I 

implore; 


216  STUDIES  IN  READING 

— _^ji — 1__ — _ — __ , 

But  the  fact  is,  I  was  happing,  and  so  gently  you 

came  rapping. 
And  so  faintly  you  came  tapping,  tapping  at  my 

chamber  door. 
That  I  scarce  was  sure    I    heard    you" — Here  I 

opened  wide  the  door; 

Darkness  there,  and  nothing  more. 

Deep  into  that  darkness  peering,  long  I  stood  there, 
wondering,  fearing. 

Doubting,  dreaming  dreams  no  mortal  ever  dared 
to  dream  before; 

But  the  silence  was  unbroken,  and  the  darkness 
gave  no  token, 

And  the  only  word  there  spoken  was  the  whis- 
pered word  "Lenore!" 

This  I  whispered,  and  an  echo  murmured  back  the 
word  "Lenore!" 

Merely  this,  and  nothing  more. 

Back  into  the  chamber  turning,  all  my  soul  within 

me  burning. 
Soon  again  I  heard  a  tapping,  something  louder 

than  before; 
"Surely,"  said  I,  "surely  that  is  something  at  my 

window-lattice; 
Let  me  see  then  what  thereat  is,  and  this  mystery 

explore, — 
Let  my  heart  be  still  a  moment,  and  this  mystery 

explore; — 

'Tis  the  wind,  and  nothing  more." 


THE  RAVEN  217 


Open  then  I  flung  the  shutter,  when,  with  many  a 

flirt  and  flutter. 
In  there  stepped  a  stately  Raven  of  the  saintly  days 

of  yore. 
Not  the  least  obeisance  made  he;  not  an  instant 

stopped  or  stayed  he; 
But,  with  mien  of  lord  or  lady,  perched  above  my 

chamber  door, — 
Perched  upon  a  bust  of  Pallas,  just  above  my 

chamber  door, — 

Perched,  and  sat,  and  nothing  more. 

Then  this  ebony  bird  beguiling  my  sad  fancy  into 
smiling. 

By  the  grave  and  stern  decorum  of  the  counte- 
nance it  wore, 

"Though  thy  crest  be  shorn  and  shaven,  thou,"  I 
said,  "art  sure  no  craven; 

Ghastly,  grim,  and  ancient  Raven,  wandering  from 
the  nightly  shore. 

Tell  me  what  thy  lordly  name  is  on  the  night's 
Plutonian  shore?" 

Quoth  the  Raven,  "Nevermore !" 

Much  I  marvelled  this  ungainly  fowl  to  hear  dis- 
course so  plainly. 

Though  its  answer  little  meaning,  little  relevancy 
bore ; 

For  we  cannot  help  agreeing  that  no  living  human 
being 


218  STUDIES  IN  READING 


Ever  yet  was  blessed  with  seeing  bird  above  his 

chamber  door; 
Bird  or  beast  upon  the  sculptured  bust  above  his 

chamber  door. 

With  such  name  as  "Nevermore!" 

But  the  Raven,  sitting  lonely  on  the  placid  bust, 

spoke  only 
That  one  word,  as  if  his  soul  in  that  one  word  he 

did  outpour. 
Nothing  farther  then  he  uttered, — not  a  feather 

then  he  fluttered, — 
Till  I  scarcely  more  than  muttered,  "Other  friends 

have  flown  before, — 
On  the  morrow  he  will  leave  me,  as  my  hopes 

have  flown  before." 

Then  the  bird  said,  "Nevermore!** 

Startled  at  the  stillness,  broken  by  reply  so  aptly 
spoken, 

"Doubtless,"   said   I,   "what  it  utters  is  its   only 
stock  and  store. 

Caught  from  some  unhappy  master,  whom  un- 
merciful disaster 

Followed  fast  and  followed  faster,  till  his  song  one 
burden  bore. 

Till  the  dirges  of  his  hope  that  melancholy  burden 
bore, — 

Of  'Nevermore,  nevermore!'" 


THE  RAVEN  219 


But  the  Raven  still  beguiling  all  my  sad  soul  into 

smiling, 
Straight  I  wheeled  a  cushioned  seat  in  front  of 

bird  and  bust  and  door, 
Then,  upon  the  velvet  sinking,  I  betook  myself  to 

linking 
Fancy  into  fancy,  thinking  what  this  ominous  bird 

of  yore — 
What  this  grim,  ungainly,    ghastly,    gaunt,    and 

ominous  bird  of  yore — 

Meant  in  croaking  "Nevermore!" 

Thus  I  sat  engaged  in  guessing,  but  no  syllable  ex- 
pressing 

To  the  fowl  whose  fiery  eyes  now  burned  into  my 
bosom's  core; 

This  and  more  I  sat  divining,  with  my  head  at  ease 
reclining 

On  the  cushion's  velvet  lining  that  the  lamp-light 
gloated  o'er. 

But  whose  velvet  violet  lining,  with  the  lamp-light 
gloating  o'er. 

She  shall  press,  ah!  nevermore! 

Then  methought  the  air  grew  denser,  perfumed 

from  an  unseen  censer. 
Swung  by  Seraphim,  whose  footfalls  tinkled  on 

the  tufted  floor. 
"Wretch,"  I  cried,  "thy  God  hath  lent  thee,— by 

these  angels  he  hath  sent  thee 


220  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Respite, — respite  and  nepenthe  from  the  memories 

of  Lenore! 
Quaff,  O,  quaff  this  kind  nepenthe,  and  forget  this 

lost  Lenore!" 

Quoth  the  Raven,  "Nevermore!" 

"Prophet!"  said  I,  "thing  of  evil! — prophet  still,  if 
bird  or  devil! 

Whether  Tempter  sent,  or  whether  tempest  tossed 
thee  here  ashore. 

Desolate  yet  all  undaunted,  on  this  desert  land  en- 
chanted,— 

On  this  home  by  horror  haunted, — tell  me  truly,  I 
implore, — 

Is  there — is  there  balm  in  Gilead  ? — tell  me,  tell  me, 
I  implore!" 

Quoth  the  Raven,  "Nevermore!" 

"Prophet!"  said  I,  "thing  of  evil! — prophet  still, 
if  bird  or  devil! 

By  that  Heaven  that  bends  above  us, — by  that  God 
we  both  adore. 

Tell  this  soul  with  sorrow  laden,  if,  within  the  dis- 
tant Aidenn, 

It  shall  clasp  a  sainted  maiden,  whom  the  angels 
name  Lenore, 

Clasp  a  fair  and  radiant  maiden,  whom  the  angels 
name  Lenore!" 

Quoth  the  Raven,  "Nevermore!" 


THE  RAVEN  221 


"Be  that  word  our  sign  of  parting,  bird  or  fiend !" 

I  shrieked,  upstarting, — 
"Get  thee  back  into  the  tempest  and  the  night's 

Plutonian  shore! 
Leave  no  black  plume  as  a  token  of  that  lie  thy 

soul  hath  spoken! 
Leave   my  loneliness    unbroken  !^ — quit   the   bust 

above  my  door! 
Take  thy  beak  from  out  my  heart,  and  take  thy 

form  from  off  my  door!" 

Quoth  the  Raven,  "Nevermore !" 

And  the  Raven,  never  flitting,  still  is  sitting,  still  is 
sitting 

On  the  pallid  bust  of  Pallas,  just  above  my  cham- 
ber door; 

And  his  eyes  have  all  the  seeming  of  a  demon  that 
is  dreaming. 

And  the  lamp-light  o'er  him  streaming  throws  his 
shadow  on  the  floor; 

And  my  soul  from  out  that  shadow  that  lies  float- 
ing on  the  floor 

Shall  be  lifted — nevermore! 

— Edgar  Allan  Poe. 

NOTES 

1.  If  possible,  read  Poe's  Philosophy  of  Composition. 

2.  Lenore    (le-nor').     The  lost  loved  one.     Poe  never  settled  the 

question  as  to  whether  or  not  Lenore  were  a  real  person. 

3.  Pallas    (pal' as).     Name    given    in    Athens    to   Minerva,    the 

goddess  of  wisdom.     She  was  also  called  Pallas  Athene. 

4.  Plutonian  shore.     The  lower  regions  presided  over  by  Pluto. 


222  STUDIES  IN  READING 

5.  Nepenthe  (n$-pen'-th$).     A  drink  used  by  the  ancients  to  ^ive 

relief  from  sorrow  and  pain.     Here  it  means  forgetfulness, 

6.  Tempter  sent.     Sent  by  Satan. 

7.  Balm  in  Qilead!     See  Jeremiah  viii,  22.     Here  the  meaning 

IS,  cure  for  sorrow  for  his  lost  love. 

8.  Aidenn.     Heaven,  or  harbor  of  rest. 

9.  Seeming.     Appearance. 

10.  Be  prepared  to  give  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 
expressions  as  here  used:  quaint,  lore,  dying  ember,  ghost, 
surcease,  fantastic  terrors,  token,  saintly  days,  mien,  ebony 
bird,  beguiling,  stern  decorum,  craven,  ungainly  fowl, 
relevancy,  placid  bust,  unmerciful  disaster,  dirges,  mel- 
ancholy, ominous,  divining*,  gloated,  censer,  seraphim,  res- 
pite,  nepenthe,   black   plume,   pallid   bust. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Give  a  summary  of  Poe's  interpretation  of  the  poem. 

2.  Who  is  the  person  speaking  as  the  poem  opens  ? 

3.  How  many  things  tell  you  of  the  occupation  of  the  person? 

4.  What  is  his  mood? 

5.  Explain  "wrought  its  ghost  upon  the  floor." 

6.  How  did  he  seek  "surcease  of  sorrow"? 

7.  Why  does  he  say  "whom  the  angels  name  Lenore"? 

8.  What  gentle  interruption  occurs? 

9.  How  does  he  interpret  it?     What  does  he  then  do? 

10.  Why  should  he  then  "dream  dreams  no  mortal  ever  dared  to 

dream  before"? 

11.  Why  should  he  there  speak  the  whispered  word  "Lenore"? 

12.  What  effect  is  produced  by  the  Raven's  perching  silently  on 

the  bust  of  Pallas? 

13.  What  is  the  moaning  of  the  first  "Nevermore"? 

14.  What   additional   meaning   is   attached   to   the   bird's   second 

utterance  ? 

15.  How  did  the  speaker  interpret  the  word  ? 

16.  Why  should  the  fiery  eyes  of  the  bird  burn  into  his  bosom's 

core? 

17.  In  what  way  is  the  third    answer  of  the  Raven  intimately 

related  to  the  speaker's  exi>eriences? 

18.  Interpret  the  fourth  "Nevermore." 


THE  RAVEN  223 


19.  What  additional   significance  is  given  the  ^void   in   the   fifth 

answer  ? 

20.  Explain  "Take  thy  beak  from  out  my  heart,  and  take  thy  form 

from  ofi'  my  door." 

21.  What  is  now  the  still  deeper  meaning  of  "Nevermore"? 

22.  Explain  the  meaning  of  the  last  stanza. 

23.  Read  and  re-read  the  poem  for  both  music  and  message. 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

PoE :  Annabel  Lee.  Ulalume. 

Burns  :  To  Mary  in  Heaven. 

Byron:   She  Walks  in  Beauty. 

Browning:  Evelyn  Hope.  Last  Ride  Together. 

Meredith:   Indian  Love-Song. 

Wordsworth  :   She  Was  a  Phantom  of  Deliglit. 

Rogers:  The  Rosary. 

Moore:  The  Lake  of  the  Dismal  Swamp. 

Dickens  :   Child's  Dream  of  a  Star.  Death  of  Little  Nell. 

Longfellow:   Footsteps  of  Angels. 

Thackeray:  Death  of  Colonel  Newcome. 

Hawthorne:  Marble  Faun.  Scarlet  Letter. 

Nadathj:  Carcassonne. 

Procter:  Lost  Chord. 


WE  SHOULD  REST 
We  should  fill  the  hours  with  the  sweetest  things 

If  we  had  but  a  day; 
We  should  drink  alone  at  the  purest  springs 

On  our  upward  way; 
We  should  love  with  a  lifetime's  love  in  an  hour 

If  the  hours  were  few; 
We  should  rest,  not  for  dreams,  but  for  fresher 


power 

To  be  and  to  do. 


Anonymous. 


ANTONY'S  ORATION 

A    GROUP      of      conspirators,      comprising 
Brutus,  Cassius,  Casca,  and  others,  have 
assassinated  Julius  Caesar.     The  Roman  popu- 
lace loved  Csesar,  and  Brutus  addresses  them  ex- 
plaining why  it  was  necessary  to  slay  Csesar. 

"Not  that  I  lov'd  Caesar  less,  but  that  I  lov'd 
Rome  more.  *  *  *  As  Caesar  lov'd  me,  I  weep 
for  him;  as  he  was  fortunate,  I  rejoice  at  it;  as  he 
was  valiant,  I  honor  him;  but,  as  he  was  ambitious, 
I  slew  him." 

Brutus,  in  further  explanation  of  his  action, 
declared,  "that,  as  I  slew  my  best  lover  for  tlie 
good  of  Rome,  I  have  the  same  dagger  for 
myself  when  it  shall  please  my  country  to  need 
my  death." 

The  fickle  Roman  populace  shouted  in  ap- 
proval, 

"Live,  Brutus!     Live,  Live!" 

Antony  and  others  now  come  in  with  Csesar's 
body.  Brutus  allows  Antony  to  speak  the 
funeral  oration  and  even  exhorts  the  i^eople  to 
hear  Antony  and  to  show  respect  to  the  dead 

224 


ANTONY'S'"  ORATION  225 


Ceesar.  The  following  is  Shakespeare's  idea  of 
what  Antony  must  have  said  under  the  circum- 
stances. The  oration  is  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able discourses  of  the  kind  that  has  ever  been 
written,  changing  as  it  does  the  attitude  of  the 
hostile  populace  and  moving  them  to  believe  and 
act  in  behalf  of  the  murdered  Csesar.  Plutarch's 
Life  of  Julius  Ccesar  doubtless  formed  the 
basis  for  this  play.  This  extract  is  Plutarch's 
account  of  Antony's  oration  and  its  effect : 

"Afterwards,  when  Caesar's  body  was  brought 
into  the  market  place,  Antonius  making  his  fu- 
neral oration  in  praise  of  the  dead,  according  to 
the  ancient  custom  of  Rome,  and  perceiving  that 
his  words  moved  the  common  people  to  compas- 
sion, he  framed  his  eloquence  to  make  their  hearts 
yearn  the  more;  and  taking  Caesar's  gown  all 
bloody  in  his  hand,  he  laid  it  open  to  the  sight  of 
them  all,  showing  what  a  number  of  cuts  and  holes 
it  had  upon  it.  Therewithal  the  people  fell  pres- 
ently into  such  a  rage  and  mutiny,  that  there  was 
no  more  order  kept  among  the  common  people." 

ANTONY'S    ORATION 
Antony.     Friends,  Romans,  countrymen,  lend  me 

your  ears; 
I  come  to  bury  Caesar,  not  to  praise  him. 
The  evil  that  men  do  lives  after  them. 
The  good  is  oft  interred  with  their  bones; 
So  let  it  be  with  Caesar.    The  noble  Rrutus  5 

Hath  told  you  Caesar  was  ambitious; 


226  STUDIES  IN  READING 


If  it  were  so,  it  was  a  grievous  fault, 
And  grievously  hath  Caesar  answer'd  it. 
Here,  under  leave  of  Brutus  and  the  rest, — 
For  Brutus  is  an  honorable  man,  10 

So  are  they  all,  all  honorable  men, — 
Come  I  to  speak  in  Caesar's  funeral. 
He  was  my  friend,  faithful  and  just  to  me: 
But  Brutus  says  he  was  ambitious; 
And  Brutus  is  an  honorable  man.  15 

He  hath  brought  many  captives  home  to  Bome, 
Whose  ransom  did  the  general  coffers  fill; 
Did  this  in  Caesar  seem  ambitious? 
When  that  the  poor  have  cried,  Caesar  hath  wept; 
Ambition  should  be  made  of  sterner  stuff.  20 

Yet  Brutus  says  he  was  ambitious; 
And  Brutus  is  an  honorable  man. 
You  all  did  see  that  on  the  Lupercal 
I  thrice  presented  him  a  kingly  crown. 
Which  he  did  thrice  refuse.  Was  this  ambition?  25 
Yet  Brutus  says  he  was  ambitious; 
And  sure,  he  is  an  honorable  man. 
I  speak  not  to  disprove  what  Brutus  spoke. 
But  here  I  am  to  speak  what  I  do  know. 
You  all  did  love  him  once,  not  without  cause;     30 
What  cause  withholds  you  then  to  mourn  for  him  ? 
O  judgment,  thou  art  fled  to  brutish  beasts. 
And  men  have  lost  their  reason! — Bear  with  me; 
My  heart  is  in  the  cofTm  there  with  Caesar, 
And  I  must  pause  till  it  come  back  to  me.         35 
1st  Citizen.     Mcthinks  there  is  much  reason  in  his 
sayings. 


ANTONY'S  ORATION  227 


2d  Citizen.     If  thou  consider  rightly  of  the  matter, 

Caesar  has  had  great  wrong. 
3d  Citizen.     Has  he,  masters? 
I  fear  there  will  a  worse  come  in  his  place. 
4th  Citizen.     Mark'd  ye  his  words?  He  would  not 

take  the  crown;  40 

Therefore  'tis  certain  he  was  not  ambitious. 
1st  Citizen.     If  it  be  found  so,  some  will  dear 

abide  it. 
2d  Citizen.     Poor  soul !  his  eyes  are  red  as  fire  with 

weeping. 
3d  Citizen.     There's  not  a  nobler  man  in  Rome 

than  Antony. 
4th  Citizen.     Now  mark  him,  he  begins  again  to 

speak.  45 

Antony.     But  yesterday  the  word  of  Caesar  might 
Have  stood  against  the  world;  now  lies  he  there, 
And  none  so  poor  to  do  him  reverence. 

0  masters !  if  I  were  disposed  to  stir 

Your  hearts  and  minds  to  mutiny  and  rage,        50 

1  should  do  Brutus  wrong  and  Cassius  wrong, 
Who,  you  all  know,  are  honorable  men. 

I  will  not  do  them  wrong;  I  rather  choose 
To  wrong  the  dead,  to  wrong  myself  and  you. 
Than  I  will  wrong  such  honorable  men.  55 

But  here's  a  parchment,  with  the  seal  of  Caesar; 
I  found  it  in  his  closet;  'tis  his  will. 
Let  but  the  commons  hear  this  testament, — 
Which,  pardon  me,  I  do  not  mean  to  read, — 
And  they  would  go  and  kiss  dead  Caesar's 

wounds,  QQ 

And  dip  their  napkins  in  his  sacred  blood. 


228  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Yea,  beg  a  hair  of  him  for  memory, 

And,  dying,  mention  it  within  their  wills. 

Bequeathing  it  as  a  rich  legacy 

Unto  their  issue.  65 

4th  Citizen.     We'll  hear  the  will.    Read  it,  Mark 

Antony. 
All.     The  will,  the  will !  we  will  hear  Caesar's  will. 
Antony.     Have  patience,  gentle  friends,  I  must  not 

read  it; 
It  is  not  meet  you  know  how  Caesar  lov'd  you. 
You  are  not  wood,  you  are  not  stones,  but 

men ;  70 

And,  being  men,  hearing  the  will  of  Caesar, 
It  will  inflame  you,  it  will  make  you  mad. 
'Tis  good  you  know  not  that  you  are  his  heirs; 
For  if  you  should,  O,  what  would  come  of  it? 
4th  Citizen.    Read  the  will!  we'll  hear  it, 

Antony !  75 

You  shall  read  us  the  will!  Caesar's  will! 
Antony.     Will  you   be   patient?     Will  you   stay 

awhile? 
I  have  o'ershot  myself,  to  tell  you  of  it. 
I  fear  I  wrong  the  honorable  men. 
Whose  daggers  have  stabb'd  Caesar;  I  do 

fear  it.  80 

4th  Citizen.     They  were  traitors !  honorable  men ! 
All.     The  will!  the  testament! 
2d  Citizen.     They  were  villains,  murderers.    The 

will!     Read  the  will! 
Antony.     You  will  compel  me,  then,  to  read  the 

will?  85 


ANTONY'S  ORATION  229 

Then  make  a  ring  about  the  corpse  of  Caesar, 
And  let  me  show  you  him  that  made  the  will. 
Shall  I  descend?  and  will  you  give  me  leave? 
All.     Come  down. 
2d  Citizen.     Descend.  90 

(Antony  comes  down.) 
3d  Citizen.     You  shall  have  leave. 
4th  Citizen.     A  ring;  stand  round. 
1st  Citizen.     Stand  from  the  hearse,  stand  from 

the  body. 
2d  Citizen.     Room  for  Antony !  most  noble  Antony ! 
Antony.      Nav,    press    not    so    upon    me;    stand 

far  off.^  95 

All.     Stand  back !    room !    bear  back ! 
Antony.     If  you  have  tears,  prepare  to  shed  them 

now. 
You  all  do  know  this  mantle:  I  remember 
The  first  time  ever  Caesar  put  it  on; 
'Twas  on  a  summer's  evening,  in  his  tent,  100 

That  day  he  overcame  the  Nervii. 
Look !  in  this  place  ran  Cassius'  dagger  through ; 
See  what  a  rent  the  envious  Casca  made; 
Through  this  the  well-beloved  Brutus  stabb'd; 
And  as  he  pluck'd  his  cursed  steel  away,  105 

Mark  how  the  blood  of  Caesar  follow'd  it. 
As  rushing  out  of  doors,  to  be  resolv'd 
If  Brutus  so  unkindly  knock'd,  or  no; 
For  Brutus,  as  you  know,  was  Caesar's  angel; 
Judge,  0  ye  Gods,  how  dearly  Caesar  lov'd  him!  110 
This  was  the  most  unkindest  cut  of  all; 
For,  when  the  noble  Caesar  saw  him  stab. 
Ingratitude,  more  strong  than  traitors'  arms. 


230  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Quite  vanquish'd  him :  then  burst  his  mighty  heart; 

And  in  his  mantle  muffling  up  his  face,  115 

Even  at  the  base  of  Pompey's  statue, 

Which  all  the  while  ran  blood,  great  Caesar  fell. 

O,  what  a  fall  was  there,  my  countr>^men! 

Then  I,  and  you,  and  all  of  us  fell  down. 

Whilst  bloody  treason  flourish'd  over  us.  120 

O,  now  you  weep,  and  I  perceive  you  feel 

The  dint  of  pity,  these  are  gracious  drops. 

Kind  souls,  what !  weep  you  when  you  but  behold 

Our  Caesar's  vesture  wounded?    Look  you  here. 

Here  is  himself,  marr'd  as  you  see,  with  traitors.  125 

1st  Citizen.     O,  piteous  spectacle! 

2d  Citizen.     O,  noble  Caesar! 

3d  Citizen.     O,  woeful  day! 

4th  Citizen.     0,  traitors,  villains! 

1st  Citizen.     O,  most  bloody  sight!  130 

2d  Citizen.     We  will  be  reveng'd! 

All.     Revenge!      About!      Seek!      Burn!      Fire! 

Kill!     Slay!     Let  not  a  traitor  live! 
Antony.     Stay,  countrj^men. 
1st  Citizen.    Peace  there!    Hear  the  noble 

Antony.  135 

2d  Citizen.     We'll  hear  him,  we'll  follow  him,  we'll 

die  with  him. 
Antony.     Good  friends,  sweet  friends,  let  me  not 

stir  you  up 
To  such  a  sudden  flood  of  mutiny. 
They  that  have  done  this  deed  are  honorable. 
What  private  griefs  they  have,  alas!  I  know 

not,  140 


ANTONY'S  ORATION  231 

That  made  them  do  it;  they  are  wise  and  honor- 
able, 
And  will,  no  doubt,  with  reasons  answer  you. 
I  come  not,  friends,  to  steal  away  your  hearts: 
I  am  no  orator,  as  Brutus  is. 

But,  as  you  know  me  all,  a  plain  blunt  man,   145 
That  love  my  friend;  and  that  they  know  full  well 
That  gave  me  public  leave  to  speak  of  him. 
For  I  have  neither  wit,  nor  words,  nor  worth. 
Action,  nor  utterance,  nor  the  power  of  speech. 
To  stir  men's  blood:  I  only  speak  right  on;    150 
I  tell  you  that  which  you  yourselves  do  know. 
Show  you  sweet  Caesar's  wounds,  poor,  poor  dumb 

mouths. 
And  bid  them  speak  for  me;  but,  were  I  Brutus, 
And  Brutus  Antony,  there  were  an  Antony 
Would  ruffle  up  your  spirits,  and  put  a  tongue  155 
In  every  wound  of  Caesar  that  should  move 
The  stones  of  Rome  to  rise  and  mutiny. 
All.     We'll  mutiny. 

1st  Citizen.     We'll  burn  the  house  of  Brutus. 
3d  Citizen.     Away,  then !  come,  seek  the  conspira- 
tors. 160 
Antony.     Yet  hear  me,  countrymen;  yet  hear  me 

speak. 
All.     Peace,    ho!      Hear    Antony.      Most    noble 

Antony. 
Antony.     Why,  friends,  you  go  to  do  you  know 

not  what. 
Wherein  hath  Caesar  thus  deserv'd  your  loves? 
Alas,  you  know  not. — I  must  tell  you,  then.         165 


232  STUDIES  IN  READING 

You  have  forgot  the  will  I  told  you  of. 

All.     Most  true; — the  will! — let's  stay,  and  hear 
the  will. 

Antony.     Here  is  the  will,  and  under  Caesar's  seal. 

To  every  Roman  citizen  he  gives. 

To  every  several  man,  seventy-five  drachmas.  170 

2d  Citizen.     Most  noble  Caesar! — we'll  revenge  his 
death. 

3d  Citizen.     O,  royal  Caesar! 

Antony.     Hear  me  with  patience. 

All.     Peace,  ho! 

Antony.     Moreover,  he  hath  left  you  all  his 

walks,  175 

His  private  arbors,  and  new-planted  orchards, 

On  this  side  Tiber;  he  hath  left  them  you. 

And  to  your  heirs  forever,  common  pleasures. 

To  walk  abroad,  and  recreate  yourselves. 

Here  was  a  Caesar!  when  comes  such  another?  180 

1st  Citizen.     Never,  never! — Come,  away,  away! 

We'll  burn  his  body  in  the  holy  place. 

And  with  the  brands  fire  the  traitors'  houses. 

Take  up  the  body. 

2d  Citizen.     Go,  fetch  fire.  185 

3d  Citizen.     Pluck  down  benches. 

2d  Citizen.     Pluck   down   forms,   windows,     any- 
thing. 

(Exeunt  citizens,  with  the  body.) 

Antony.     Now    let    it    work.     Mischief,  thou  art 
afoot. 

Take  thou  what  course  thou  wilt! 

— From  Shakespeare's  **Jiilius  Ccesar" 
Act  HI,  Scene  2. 


ANTONY'S  ORATION  233 


NOTES 


,.  " 


1.  Read  Shakespeare's  "Julius  Caesar.' 

2.  Lu'percal    ( lu'per-cal ) .     A    cave    or   grotto    on   the   Palatine 

hill  where  the  ancient  Roman  festival  of  the  Lupercalia 
was  held.  This  festival  was  held  on  February  fifteenth  of 
each  year.  The  Lupercal  was  the  place  where  Romulus  and 
Remus,  the  mythical  founders  of  Rome,  were  said  to  have 
been  nursed  by  a  wolf. 

3.  Commons.     Common  people. 

4.  Napkins.  Handkerchiefs. 

5.  The   Nervii.     The   most  warlike   and   powerful   of  the  tribes 

Caesar  conquered  in  Gaul. 

0.  Pompey^s  statue.     A  statue  erected  as  a  symbol  of  liberty  in 

honor  of  the  great  Pompey. 

7.  Seventy-five  drachmas.     Between  fourteen  and  fifteen  dollars. 

The  drachma  was  worth  nineteen  cents. 

8.  Look  up  carefully  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions  as  here  used:  ambitious,  honorable,  ransoms, 
coffers,  reverence,  mutiny,  parchment,  napkins,  bequeathing, 
legacy,  o'ershot,  heayse,  unkindly  knocked,  most  unkindest 
cut,  vanquished,  bloody  treason,  vesture,  sudden  flood  of 
mutiny,  recreate. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  the  circumstances  immediately  preceding  the  opening  of 

this  oration. 

2.  With  what  object  does  Antony  say  what  he  does  in  the  second 

line? 

3.  V\\\y  does  he  state  that  he  speaks  "under  leave  of  Brutus,  and 

the  rest" ? 

4.  Why  does  he  also  say,  "He  was  my  friend,  faithful  and  just 

to  me"? 

5.  Why  does  he  repeat  "honorable  man"  so  many  times? 

6.  What  evidence   (lines  15-25)   does  Antony  introduce  to  show 

the  populace  that  Caesar  was  not  ambitious? 

7.  Why  does  he  say  so  many  times,  "Yet  Brutus  says  he  was 

ambitious"  ? 

8.  What  appeal  is  made  in  lines  30,  31? 


234  STUDIES  IN  READING 

9.  What  is  the  purpose  of  the  pause? 

10.  What  effect  has  the  speech  produced  on  the  populace  so  far? 

11.  What  is  Antony's  purpose  in  lines  50-50? 

12.  Why  does  Antony  produce  the  will? 

13.  Why  add  "which,  pardon  me,  I  do  not  mean  to  read"? 

14.  What  effect  does  what  he  says  immediately  following  have  on 

the  people? 

15.  Why  does  he  urge  patience  and  state,  "I  must  not  read  it"? 

16.  What  is  the  purpose  of  line  70? 

17.  Why  does  he  not  say  outright  what  he  insinuates  in  the  next 

four  lines? 

18.  What  hint  is  given  the  populace  in  line  75? 

19.  Why  does  he  urge  further  patience  and  suggest  that  he  has 

wronged   "the  honorable  men  whose  daggers  have  stabbed 
C«sar"? 

20.  Why  does  he  have  them  form  a  ring? 

21.  Why  show  rents  in  the  mantle  instead  of  wounds  in  the  body? 

22.  Explain    "envious    Casca,"    "well    beloved    Brutus,"    "cursed 

steel,"  "most  unkindest  cut." 

23.  Why  does  he  describe  the  assassination  so  vividly? 

24.  What  daring  declaration  in  lines  118-120? 

25.  Why  does  he  wait  until  now  to  show  the  body  ? 
2G.  Why  not  let  the  citizens  go  now  ? 

27.  Why  does  he  mention  "private  griefs"? 

28.  Why  does  he  speak  of  wounds  as  "poor  dumb  mouths"? 

29.  Why  suggest  that  eloquence  like  that  of  Brutus  could  cause 

"The  very  stones  of  Rome  to  rise  and  mutiny"  ? 

30.  Why  does  he  still  hold  the  people? 

31.  What  does  he  accomplish  by  reading  the  will  of  Ca?sar? 

32.  What  final  effect  was  produced  by  the  oration  ? 

33.  What  was  the  attitude  of  the  people  at  the  outset? 

34.  Make  a  list  of  the  steps  by  which  their  attitude  was  changed. 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Shakespeare:  Julius  Caesar. 
Kellogg:    Spartacus  to  the  Gladiators. 
PlERPONT:   Warren's  Address  at  Bunker  Hill. 
Patrick  Henry:  A  Call  to  Arms. 


ANTONY'S  ORATION  235 

Read:  The  Rising  in  177G. 

Wordsworth:   Character  of  the  Happy  Warrior. 

Webster:   Reply  to  Hayne.  Supposed  Speech  of  John  Adams. 

Phillips  :  Napoleon  Bonaparte. 

Plutarch:  Life  of  Julius  Csesar.  . 


THREE    GATES   OF   GOLD 

If  you  are  tempted  to  reveal 

A  tale  some  one  to  you  has  told 
About  another,  make  it  pass, 

Before  you  speak,  three  gates  of  gold; 
These  narrow  gates:    First,  "Is  it  true?" 

Then:   "Is  it  needful?"    In  your  mind 
Give  truthful  answer,  and  the  next 

Is  last  and  closest,  "Is  it  kind?" 
And,  if  to  reach  your  lips  at  last. 

It  passes  through  these  gateways  three, 
Then  you  may  tell  the  tale,  nor  fear 

What  the  result  of  speech  may  be. 

— Selected. 

TRUE   DIGNITY 

True  dignity  abides  with  him  alone. 
Who,  in  the  patient  hour  of  silent  thought, 
Can  still  respect  and  still  revere  himself. 

— Wadsworth. 


THE    BROTHER    OF    MERCY 

JOHIV  GREENLEAF  WHITTIER  was  a 

devout  Quaker,  and  his  interpretations  of 
religion  are  remarkably  liberal  and  practical. 
He  seemed  to  catch  clearly  the  vision  that  re- 
ligion and  life  are  one,  and  that  true  religious 
faith  must  find  expression  in  service  for  others. 
He  could  not  approve  the  Puritan  idea  of  a 
future  life  spent  in  perfect  bliss  with  white  robes, 
harps,  and  crowns  of  gold.  Longfellow  in  his 
Excelsior  had  already  hinted  at  growth  of  the 
soul  even  in  an  immortal  existence.  Whittier's 
interi)retation  of  the  future  life,  as  given  in  this 
poem,  is  presented  so  artistically  and  so  reason- 
ably that  even  his  Puritan  neighbors  did  not  re- 
sent it. 

Whittier  based  this  poem  upon  a  touching  ac- 
count of  the  death  of  a  Brother  of  JNlercy,  Piero 
Luca,  in  Florence.  The  Brothers  of  Mercy, 
known  also  as  Fathers  of  JVIercy  and  Priests  of 
Mercy,  were  an  order  of  monks  devoted  exclu- 
sively to  helping  the  needy,  caring  for  the  sick, 
and  similar  "tasks  of  love  or  pity."  They  were 
a  working,  not  a  praying,  order  of  monks. 
When  one  of  these  working  brothers  came  to 

236 


THE    BROTHER   OF  MERCY 


237 


die,  a  member  of  a  religious  order  was  called  in 
to  give  spiritual  guidance  and  comfort. 

In  the  scene  described,  Piero,  a  Brother  of 
Mercy,  lay  dying  after  forty  years  of  faithful 
ministry.  By  his  side  sat  the  religious  monk  of 
La  Certosa  assuring  him  that  his  life  of  faithful 
labor  should  be  rewarded  by  rest  and  perfect 


Brothers  of  Mercy 


bliss  among  the  white-robed  saints.  The  signifi- 
cant reply  of  the  sincere  Piero,  the  muttering 
reproach  and  flight  of  the  pale  monk,  and  the 
sweet  benediction  of  an  angel  presence,  are  the 
framework  upon  which  Whittier  constructs  his 
practical  philosophy  of  a  future  life,  culminating 


238  STUDIES  IN  READING 

in  the  tender,  compassionate  voice  of  the  angel 
saying, 

"Never  fear! 

For  heaven  is  love,  as  God  himself  is  love; 

Thy  work  below  shall  be  thy  work  above." 

■  A  hurried  reading  of  such  a  poem  will  not 
satisfy.  The  poem  must  be  studied  until  its 
message  sinks  into  the  very  soul  of  the  reader. 

THE  BROTHER  OF  MERCY* 

Piero  Luca,  know^i  of  all  the  town 

As  the  gray  porter  by  the  Pitti  wall 

Where  the  noon  shadows  of  the  gardens  fall. 

Sick  and  in  dolor,  waited  to  lay  down 

His  last  sad  burden,  and  beside  his  mat 

The  barefoot  monk  of  La  Certosa  sat. 

Unseen,  in  square  and  blossoming  garden  drifted. 
Soft  sunset  lights  through  green  Val  d'  Arno  sifted; 
Unheard,  below  the  living  shuttles  shifted 
Backward  and  forth,  and  wove,  in  love  or  strife. 
In  mirth  or  pain,  the  mottled  web  of  life : 
But  when  at  last  came  upward  from  the  street 
Tinkle  of  bell  and  tread  of  measured  feet. 
The  sick  man  started,  strove  to  rise  in  vain, 
Sinking  back  heavily  with  a  moan  of  pain. 
And  the  monk  said,  "  Tis  but  the  Brotherhood 
Of  Mercy  going  on  some  errand  good: 
Their  black  masks  by  the  palace-wall  I  see." 

*Used  by  permission  of,  and  by  sppcinl  arrangement  with,  the 
authorized  publishers,   Ilougliton  Mifllin  Company. 


THE    BROTHER   OF  MERCY  239 

Piero  answered  faintly,  "Woe  is  me! 

This  day  for  the  first  time  in  forty  years 

In  vain  the  bell  hath  sounded  in  my  ears, 

Calling  me  with  my  brethren  of  the  mask. 

Beggar  and  prince  alike,  to  some  new  task 

Of  love  or  pity, — haply  from  the  street 

To  bear  a  wretch  plague-stricken,  or,  with  feet 

Hushed  to  the  quickened  ear  and  feverish  brain. 

To  tread  the  crowded  lazaretto's  floors, 

Down  the  long  twilight  of  the  corridors. 

Midst  tossing  arms  and  faces  full  of  pain. 

I  loved  the  work:  it  was  its  own  reward. 

I  never  counted  on  it  to  off'set 

My  sins,  which  are  many,  or  make  less  my  debt 

To  the  free  grace  and  mercy  of  our  Lord ; 

But  somehow,  father,  it  has  come  to  be 

In  these  long  years  so  much  a  part  of  me, 

I  should  not  know  myself,  if  lacking  it. 

But  with  the  work  the  worker  too  would  die. 

And  in  my  place  some  other  self  would  sit 

Joyful  or  sad, — what  matters,  if  not  I? 

And  now  all's  over.    Woe  is  me!"  —  "My  son," 

The  monk  said  soothingly,  "thy  work  is  done; 

And  no  more  as  a  servant,  but  the  guest 

Of  God  thou  enterest  thy  eternal  rest. 

No  toil,  no  tears,  no  sorrow  for  the  lost. 

Shall  mar  thy  perfect  bliss.    Thou  shalt  sit  down 

Clad  in  white  robes,  and  wear  a  golden  crown 

Forever  and  forever."  —  Piero  tossed 

On  his  sick-pillow:   "Miserable  me! 

I  am  too  poor  for  such  grand  company; 


240  STUDIES  IN  READING 

The  crown  would  be  too  heavy  for  this  gray 
Old  head;  and  God  forgive  me  if  I  say 
It  would  be  hard  to  sit  there  night  and  day. 
Like  an  image  in  the  Tribune,  doing  naught 
With   these   hard   hands,   that   all  my   life   have 

wrought. 
Not  for  bread  only,  but  for  pity's  sake. 
I'm  dull  at  prayers:  I  could  not  keep  awake. 
Counting  my  beads.    Mine's  but  a  crazy  head, 
Scarce  worth  the  saving,  if  all  else  be  dead. 
And  if  one  goes  to  heaven  without  a  heart, 
God  knows  he  leaves  behind  his  better  part. 
I  love  my  fellow  men :  the  worst  I  know 
I  would  do  good  to.    Will  death  change  me  so 
That  I  shall  sit  among  the  lazy  saints. 
Turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the  sore  complaints 
Of  souls  that  suffer?    Why,  I  never  yet 
Left  a  poor  dog  in  the  strada  hard  beset. 
Or  ass  o'erladen!     Must  I  rate  man  less 
Than  dog  or  ass,  in  holy  selfishness? 
Methinks   (Lord,  pardon,  if  the  thought  be  sin!) 
The  world  of  pain  were  better  if  therein 
One's  heart  might  still  be  human,  and  desires 
Of  natural  pity  drop  upon  its  fires 
Some  cooling  tears." 

Thereat  the  pale  monk  crossed 
His  brow,  and  muttering,  "Madman !  thou  art  lost !" 
Took  up  his  pyx  and  fled;  and,  left  alone. 
The  sick  man  closed  his  eyes  with  a  great  groan 
That  sank  into  a  prayer,  "Thy  will  be  done!" 


THE    BROTHER   OF  MERCY  241 

Then  was  he  made  aware,  by  soul  or  ear, 
Of  somewhat  pure  and  holy  bending  o'er  him. 
And  of  a  voice  like  that  of  her  who  bore  him. 
Tender  and  most  compassionate:    "Never  fear! 
For  heaven  is  love,  as  God  himself  is  love; 
Thy  work  below  shall  be  thy  work  above." 
And  when  he  looked,  lo !  in  the  stern  monk's  place 
He  saw  the  shining  of  an  angel's  face! 

— John  Greenleaf  Whittle r. 

NOTES 

1.  This  scene  is  located  in  Florence,  a  beautiful  walled  city  situ- 

ated on  the  river  Arno  in  upper  Italy. 

2.  Pitti  wall.     One  of  the  city  walls. 

3.  La    Certosa.     Pronounced    cher-to'sd. 

4.  Val  d*  Arno.     Valley  of  the  Arno  river. 

5.  Black  masks.     The  Brothers  of  ]\Iercy  wore  black, 

6.  Lazaretto's  floors.     Floors  of  the  great  city  hospital. 

7.  Tribune.     An  elevated  bench  or  platform  for  speakers  before 

the  legislative  assembly. 

8.  Strada.     Street. 

9.  Be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and 

expressions  as  here  used:  dolor,  living  shuttles,  lazaretto, 
free  grace,  wrought,  strada,  holy  selfishness,  pyx,  com- 
passionate. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Why  was  Piero  called  the  "gray  porter"?     How  long  had  he 

served  as  a  Brother  of  Mercy? 

2.  Explain  "waited  to  lay  down  his  last  sad  burden." 

3.  Why  was  the  monk  of  La  Certosa  by  Piero's  side? 

4.  WTiy  should  the  dying  monk  start  at  the  "tinkle  of  bell"  ? 

5.  What  explanation  of  the  "tinkle  of  bell"  is  made  by  the  bare- 

foot monk? 

6.  Why  does  Piero  say  the  bell  sounds  for  him  "in  vain"  ? 

7.  Cite  passages  showing  the  kind  of  work  done  by  the  Brothers 

of  Mercy. 


242  STUDIES  IN  READING 

8.  What  is  shown  of  Piero  in  his  declaration,  "I  loved  the  work"? 

How  could  such  work  be  its  own  reward? 

9.  Why  did  not  Piero  count  on  this  work  to  offset  his  sins? 

10.  Explain  the  deeper  meaning  of  "Woe  is  me!" 

11.  What  comfort  did  the  barefoot  monk  now  offer?  . 

12.  Why  should  Piero  now  toss  on  his  pillow? 

13.  What  was  the  first  thought  that  came  to  him? 

14.  Why  would  it  be  hard  for  him  "to  sit  there  night  and  day  like 

an  image  in  the  Tribune"  ? 

15.  Explain  "for  pity's  sake." 

16.  Why  should  this  monk  confess,  "I'm  dull  at  prayers"? 

17.  Explain  the  two  lines  beginning  "And  if  one  goes  to  heaven. 

)} 

18.  What  is  shown  of  this  monk  in  "the  worst  I  know  I  would  do 

good  to"? 

19.  Why  does  he  speak  of  "la2y  saints"? 

20.  How  does  he  fancy  these  "lazy  saints"  are  related  to  the  suf- 

fering world? 

21.  Explain  "holy  selfishness"  as  here  connected  with  the  "lazy 

saints.'* 

22.  Why  would  Piero  prefer  "the  world  of  pain"  with  service  for 

humanity  to  a  heaven  of  "perfect  bliss"? 

23.  What  effect  did  this  declaration  have  upon  the  religious  monk 

of  La  Certosa? 

24.  Why  should  the  pale  monk  regard  such  a  worker  as  "'lost"? 

25.  Then  why  not  cling  to  him  the  more  closely? 

26.  What  was  Piero's  spirit  and  attitude  of  soul  as  shown  by  his 

last  utterance?  ' 

27.  What  striking  truth  did  the  tender  angel  voice  reveal  to  him  ? 

28.  How  did  this  truth  vary  from  the  ordinary  religious  idea  of 

heaven  in  Whittier's  day? 

29.  Point  out  the  passages  you  like  best  in  tlie  poem,  and  give 

reasons  for  your  preference. 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Hunt:  Abou  Ben  Adhem. 

Whittier:   The  Prayer  Seeker.  The  Eternal  Goodness.  Thy  Will 

Be  Done. 
Longfellow  :  Santa  Filomena.     Excelsior.     The  Legend  Beautiful. 
Matthew  xxv,  34-40, 
Luke  x,  25-37 :  Story  of  the  Good  Samaritan. 


THE    BROTHER   OF  MERCY  243 

Lowell:   Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.  Yussouf, 

Andrews  :  The  Perfect  Tribute. 

Mason:   The  Voyage. 

Wordsworth:  The  Wishing-Gate. 

Riley  :    God  Bless  Us  Every  One. 

SiLL:  The  Fool's  Prayer. 

Margaret  Deland  :  Life. 

Ian  Maclaren  :   Beside  the  Bonnie  Brier  Bush. 

Emerson:  The  Over-Soul. 

Bacon:  Of  Love. 

Drummond:   Tlie  Greatest  Thing  in  the  World. 

Brooks  :  The  Beauty  of  a  Life  of  Service. 

Alice  Brown:  Rosy  Balm. 

Kipling  :  The  Bell  Buov. 


MY  COUNTRY 


From  sea  to  sea  my  country  lies 
Beneath  the  splendor  of  the  skies. 

Far  reach  its  plains,  its  hills  are  high, 
Its  mountains  look  up  to  the  sky. 

Its  lakes  are  clear  as  crystal  bright. 

Its  rivers  sweep  through  vale  and  height. 

America,  my  native  land. 

To  thee  I  give  my  heart  and  hand, 

God  in  His  might  chose  thee  to  be 
The  country  of  the  noble  free! 

— Marie  Zetterberg. 


THE    BURIAL    OF    MOSES 

np  HE  story  of  Moses,  the  great  leader  and 
law  giver,  is  familiar  to  every  school  boy 
and  school  girl  in  the  land.  The  children  of 
Israel  were  famishing  from  thirst  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Kadesh/  They  rebuked  Moses  saying, 
"Why  have  ye  brought  up  the  congregation  of 
the  Lord  into  this  wilderness,  that  we  and  our 
cattle  should  die  there?  Wherefore  have  ye 
made  us  to  come  up  out  of  Egypt,  to  bring  us 
in  unto  this  evil  place?  It  is  no  place  of  seed, 
or  of  figs,  or  of  vines,  or  of  pomegranates; 
neither  is  there  any  water  to  drink." — And  the 
Lord  appeared  unto  Moses  and  commanded  him 
to  take  the  rod,  to  gather  the  assembly  together, 
and  to  speak  to  the  rock,  promising  that  the 
rock  should  give  forth  water  for  all.  In  the 
presence  of  the  great  congregation,  Moses  said, 
"Hear  now,  ye  rebels;  must  we  fetch  you  water 
out  of  this  rock?"  Then  Moses  smote  the  rock 
twice,  and  the  water  gushed  forth.  For  the  dis- 
obedience of  Moses  and  Aaron  the  Lord  prom- 
ised that  they  should  not  lead  the  people  into 
the  promised  land.     Moses  was  taken  away  in 


Proiionncod  kfi'  dCsh. 

244 


THE    BURIAL   OF   MOSES  245 

the  prime  of  life.  The  story  of  the  death  and 
burial  of  Moses  is  recorded  in  the  following 
verses  in  the  thirty-fourth  chapter  of  Deuter- 
onomy : 

And  Moses  went  up  from  the  plains  of  Moab 
unto  the  Mountain  of  Nebo,  to  the  top  of 
Pisgah,  that  is  over  against  Jericho.  And  the 
Lord  showed  him  all  the  land  of  Gilead,  unto 
Dan,  and  all  Naphtali,  and  the  land  of  Ephraim, 
and  Manasseh,  and  all  the  land  of  Judah,  unto 
the  utmost  sea,  and  the  south,  and  the  plain  of 
the  valley  of  Jericho,  the  city  of  palm  trees,  unto 
Zoar.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him.  This  is  the 
land  which  I  sware  unto  Abraham,  unto  Isaac, 
and  unto  Jacob,  saying,  I  will  give  it  unto  thy 
seed:  I  have  caused  thee  to  see  it  with  thine 
eyes  but  thou  shalt  not  go  over  thither. 

So  Moses,  the  servant  of  the  Lord,  died  there 
in  the  land  of  Moab,  according  to  the  word  of 
the  Lord.  And  he  buried  him  in  a  valley  in 
the  land  of  Moab,  over  against  Beth-peor;  but 
no  man  knoweth  of  his  sepulcher  unto  this  day. 

And  Moses  was  an  hundred  and  twenty  years 
old  when  he  died:  his  eye  was  not  dim,  nor  his 
natural  force  abated. 


Moses — M  ichcla  ngclo 


THE    BURIAL   OF   MOSES  247 

THE  BURIAL  OF  MOSES 

By  Nebo's  lonely  mountain. 

On  this  side  Jordan's  wave, 
In  a  vale  in  the  land  of  Moab, 

There  lies  a  lonely  grave; 
But  no  man  dug  that  sepulcher, 

And  no  man  saw  it  e'er, 
For  the  angels  of  God  upturned  the  sod. 

And  laid  the  dead  man  there. 

That  was  the  grandest  funeral 

That  ever  passed  on  earth; 
But  no  man  heard  the  tramping. 

Or  saw  the  train  go  forth, — 
Noiselessly  as  the  daylight 

Comes  when  the  night  is  done. 
And  the  crimson  streak  on  ocean's  cheek 

Grows  into  the  great  sun, — 

Noiselessly   as  the  spring-time 

Her  crown  of  verdure  weaves, 
And  all  the  trees  on  all  the  hills 

Open   their   thousand  leaves; 
So  without  sound  of  music. 

Or  voice  of  them  that  wept. 
Silently  down  from  the  mountain's  crown 

The  great  procession  swept. 

Perchance  the  bald  old  eagle. 
On  gray  Beth-peor's  height, 


248  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Out  of  his  rocky  eyrie. 

Looked  on  the  wondrous  sight; 
Perchance  the  lion  stalking 

Still  shuns  that  hallowed  spot. 
For  beast  and  bird  have  seen  and  heard 

That  which  man  knoweth  not. 

But,  when  the  warrior  dieth. 

His  comrades  in  the  war. 
With  arms  reversed  and  muffled  drum. 

Follow  the  funeral  car; 
They  show  the  banners  taken, 

They  tell  his  battles  won, 
And  after  him  lead  his  masterless  steed, 

While  peals  the  minute  gun. 

Amid  the  noblest  of  the  land 

Men  lay  the  sage  to  rest. 
And  give  the  bard  an  honored  place 

With  costly  marble  drest, 
In  the  great  minster  transept 

Where  lights  like  glories  fall, 
And  the  sweet  choir  sings,  and  the  organ  rings, 

Along  the  emblazoned  wall. 

This  was  the  bravest  warrior 

That  ever  buckled  sword. 
This  the  most  gifted  poet 

That  ever  breathed  a  word; 
And  never  earth's  philosopher 


THE    BURIAL   OF   MOSES  249 

Traced,  with  his  golden  pen, 
On  the  deathless  page,  truths  half  so  sage 
As  he  wrote  down  for  men. 

And  had  he  not  high  honor. 

The  hillside  for  a  pall; 
To  lie  in  state  while  angels  wait. 

With  stars  for  tapers  tall; 
And  the  dark  rock-pines,  like  tossing  plumes, 

Over  his  bier  to  wave. 
And  God's  own  hand  in  that  lonely  land, 

To  lay  him  in  the  grave? 

In  that  deep  grave  without  a  name. 

Whence  his  uncoflined  clay 
Shall  break  again,  O  wondrous  thought ! 

Before  the  Judgment  Day, 
And  stand,  with  glory  wrapped  around, 

On  the  hills  he  never  trod. 
And  speak  of  the  strife  that  won  our  life. 

With  the  incarnate  Son  of  God. 

0  lonely  tomb  in  Moab's  land! 

0  dark  Beth-peor's  hill! 
Speak  to  these  curious  hearts  of  ours, 

And  teach  them  to  be  still. 
God  hath  his  mysteries  of  grace. 

Ways  that  we  cannot  tell; 


250  STUDIES  IN  READING 

He  hides  them  deep,  like  the  secret  sleep 
Of  him  he  loved  so  well. 

— Cecil  Frances  Alexander. 

NOTES 

1.  Study  the  wanderings  of  the  children  of  Israel  in  the  wilder- 

ness, on  any  good  map. 

2.  Locate  each  of  the  places  mentioned  in  the  introduction  of  the 

poem. 

3.  Transept.     The  cross  aisles  in  a  cathedral  constructed  in  the 

form  of  a  cross,  with  one  long  aisle  and  one  short  aisle 
crossing  the  long  one.  The  cross  aisle  is  called  the  transept. 
The  transept  divides  the  long  aisle  into  the  two  unequal 
parts,  the  longer  of  which  is  called  the  nave,  the  shorter  the 
choir. 

4.  Look   up   the    following   words   and   expressions:      sepulcher, 

tramping,  crown,  verdure,  lonely,  eyrie,  arms  reversed,  em- 
blazoned, pall,  lie  in  state,  bier,  uncoffincd  clay,  mysteries 
of  grace,  incarnate. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  something  of  the  story  of  Moses'  life. 

2.  Why  was  Moses  not  permitted  to  lead  the  children  of  Israel 

into  the  promised  land  ? 

3.  Where  was  Moses  buried  ? 

4.  What  sort  of  funeral   procession  does  tlie  poet  say  honored 

Moses  ? 

5.  Explain  "Beast  and  bird  have  seen  and  heard  that  which  man 

knoweth  not." 

6.  How  are  warriors  usually  laid  to  rest  ? 

7.  How  are  bards  and  sages  usually  honored  after  death? 

8.  Why  then  should  this  bravest  of  warriors,   this  most  gifted 

poet,  statesman,  and  philosopher  have  no  such  honor  given 
him? 

9.  What  high  honors  did  he  have  8ho^^'n  him  ? 

10.  What  mystery  lies  in  this  poem?     What  do  you  think  is  the 
explanation  ? 


THE   BURIAL   OF  MOSES  251 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Wolfe  :   Burial  of  Sir  John  Moore. 

Gilder  :   Burial  of  Grant. 

Albee  :  A  Soldier's  Grave. 

BoKER :   Dirge  for  a  Soldier. 

Knox:   Oh,  Why  Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  Be  Proud? 

Kipling:  The  Burial. 

O'Hara  :   Bivouac  of  the  Dead. 


SERVICE 
There  is  a  destiny  that  makes  us  brothers. 

None  goes  his  way  alone; 
All  that  is  sent  into  the  lives  of  others 
Comes  back  into  our  own. 

— Edwin  Markham. 


THINK  FOR  THYSELF 
Think  for  thyself — one  good  idea, 
Rut  known  to  be  thine  own, 
Is  better  than  a  thousand  gleaned 
From  fields  by  others  sown. 

—Sir  Walter  Scott. 


TRUTH 
Truth  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise  again, 

The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers; 

Rut  error,  wounded,  writhes  in  pain. 

And   dies   among  his   worshipers. 

— William  Cullen  Bryant. 


LINCOLN,  THE   GREAT  COMMONER 

A  S  Abraham  Lincoln  lay  dying,  Edmund 
Stanton,  the  great  War  Secretary,  said, 
"Now  he  belongs  to  the  ages."  At  the  time, 
few  or  none  comprehended  the  import  of  this 
saying.  With  the  passing  years,  not  statesmen 
alone  nor  Americans  alone,  but  the  world  is  be- 
ginning to  see  that  the  wisdom  of  the  speaker 
is  being  verified  hourly.  Everywhere  the  martyr- 
president's  wisdom,  tenderness,  and  simplicity 
have  been  discussed  until  he  has  become  the  ac- 
cepted type  of  these  virtues.  His  old  friends, 
the  members  of  his  cabinet,  his  letters,  and  every 
conceivable  source  have  been  besought  for  ad- 
ditional material  concerning  the  habits,  character 
and  life  of  this  great  American.  Authors  of  ah 
degrees  of  prominence  have  laid  their  meed  of 
praise  upon  the  monument  of  Lincoln  I^itera- 
ture  until  it  has  grown  to  bewildering  magni- 
tude. No  man  has  ever  received  more  eloquent 
or  more  finely  conceived  tributes  than 

"The  kindly-earnest,  brave,  foreseeing  man. 
Sagacious,  patient,  dreading  praise  not  bk\me, 
New  birth  of  our  new  soil,  the  first  American." 


LINCOLN,    THE    GREAT   COMMONER       253 


Among  all  the  splendid  tributes  paid,  none  ex- 
cels in  beauty,  aptness,  and  dignity  the  follow- 


Lincoln — Daniel  Chester  French 

ing  written  by  Edwin  Markham,  the  author  of 
"The  Man  with  the  Hoe." 

LINCOLN,  THE  GREAT  COMMONER* 
When  the  Norn-Mother  saw  the  Whirlwind  Hour, 
Greatening  and  darkening  as  it  hurried  on, 

*Used  by  the  courteous  permission  of  the  Editor  of  McClure'a 
Magazine,  in  which  the  poem  was  first  published. 


254  STUDIES  IN  READING 

She  bent  the  strenuous  Heavens  and  came  down. 

To  make  a  man  to  meet  the  mortal  need. 

She  took  the  tried  clay  of  the  common  road — 

Clay  warm  yet  with  the  genial  heat  of  earth, 

Dashed  through  it  all  a  strain  of  prophecy; 

Then  mixed  a  laughter  with  the  serious  stuff. 

It  was  a  stuff  to  wear  for  centuries, 

A  man  that  matched  the  mountains  and  compelled 

The  stars  to  look  our  way  and  honor  us. 

The  color  of  the  ground  was  in  him,  the  red  Earth, 

The  tang  and  odor  of  the  primal  things; 

The  rectitude  and  patience  of  the  rocks; 

The  gladness  of  the  wind  that  shakes  the  corn ; 

The  courage  of  the  bird  that  dares  the  sea; 

The  justice  of  the  rain  that  loves  all  leaves; 

The  pity  of  the  snow  that  hides  all  scars; 

The  loving  kindness  of  the  wayside  well; 

The  tolerance  and  equity  of  light 

That  gives  as  freely  to  the  shrinking  weed 

As  to  the  great  oak  flaring  to  the  wind — 

To  the  grave's  low  hill  as  to  the  Matterhorn 
That  shoulders  out  the  sky. 

And  so  he  came. 
From  prairie  cabin  to  the  Capitol, 
One  fair  ideal  led  our  chieftain  on, 
Forevermore  he  burned  to  do  his  deed 
With  the  fine  stroke  and  gesture  of  a  King. 
He  built  the  rail  pile  as  he  built  the  State, 
Pouring  his  splendid  strength  through  every  blow. 


LINCOLN,   THE   GREAT   COMMONER       255 

The  conscience  of  him  testing  every  stroke. 
To  make  his  deed  the  measure  of  a  man. 

So  came  the  Captain  with  the  mighty  heart; 
And  when  the  step  of  earthquake  shook  the  house. 
Wrenching  the  rafters  from  their  ancient  hold, 
He  held  the  ridgepole  up  and  spiked  again 
The  rafters  of  the  Home.     He  held  his  place — 
Held  the  long  purpose  like  a  growing  tree — 
Held  on  through  blame  and  faltered  not  at  praise. 
And  when  he  fell  in  whirlwind,  he  went  down 
As  when  a  kingly  cedar  green  with  boughs 
Goes  down  with  a  great  shout  upon  the  hills 
And  leaves  a  lonesome  place  against  the  sky. 

— Edwin  Markham. 

NOTES 

1.  If  possible,  secure  a  collection  of  pictures  of  Mr.  Lincoln  and 

study  carefully  the  striking  features  and  expressions  of 
each. 

2.  Read  some  good  biography  of  Mr.  Lincoln  and  if  obtainable, 

a  collection  of  Lincoln  Stories. 

3.  Norn-Mother.     See  Norn  in  any  good  dictionary. 

4.  Look  up  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and  expressions 

as  here  used:  Norn-Mother,  strenuous  Heavens,  Whirl- 
wind Hour,  tang,  primal  things,  rectitude,  tolerance,  equity, 
flaring,  wrenching,  ridgepole. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Explain    "Norn-Mother." 

2.  What  was  the  "Whirlwind  Hour"? 

3.  Why  were  the  Heavens  spoken  of  as  "strenuous"  ? 

4.  What  does  the  word  "mortal"  mean  as  used  in  the  fourth 

line? 
i5.  Wliat  is  the  significance  of  "tried  clay"? 
6.  Tell  an  incident  of  Lincoln's  life  that  would  prove  that  he 

was  yet  "warm  with  the  genial  heat  of  earth." 


256  STUDIES  IN  READING 

7.  Mention   anything   he   ever   said   that    betrays   a   "strain    of 

prophecy." 

8.  What  shows  that  "laughter"  was  mixed  in? 

9.  How  did  he  "match  our  mountains"? 

10.  How    many    characteristics    are    enumerated    in    the    second 

stanza? 

11.  Mention  any  coinparison  that  seems  beautiful  to  you? 

12.  What  is  the  Matterhorn? 

13.  What  is  the  difference  in  aim  of  the  first  two  stanzas? 

14.  What  is  the  purpose  of  the  third  stanza? 

15.  Do  you  consider  it  probable  that  the  forests  and  prairies  did 

affect  his  character? 

16.  Define  "burned"  as  used  in  "he  burned  to  do  his  deed." 

17.  In  what  sense  did  his  conscience  test  every  stroke? 

18.  How  are  our  deeds  frequently  the  "measure  of  a  man"? 

19.  Why  call  Lincoln  "Captain"? 

20.  What  was  "the  house"? 

21.  What  was  "the  step  of  earthquake"  which  "shook  the  house"? 

22.  What  was  the  "long  purpose"? 

23.  What  is  shown  of  one  who  falters  at  praise? 

24.  Explain  "fell  in  whirlwind." 

25.  Why  compare  him  with  a  cedar,  "green  with  boughs"? 

26.  In  what  sense  did  Lincoln  leave  a  "lonesome   place  against 

the  sky"  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Whitman  :  O  Captain !  My  Captain ! 

Lincoln  :  Gettysburg  Address. 

Lowell:  Centennial  Hymn. 

Ingersoll:  Eulogy  of  Lincoln. 

Stoddard  :  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Tyrrell:  The  Man  of  the  Hour. 

Wordsworth  :  The  Happy  Warrior. 

Phillips  Brooks:  Abraham  Lincoln.  A  Fun(>ral  Sermon. 

Beeciier:  The  Death  of  Lincoln. 

R.  D.  C.  Rodbins:  The  Soldier's  Reprieve. 

Andrews  :  The  Perfect  Tribute. 

Watterson:  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Stedman  :  The  Hand  of  Lincoln. 


THE    TRIAL   BY    COMBAT 

CIR  WALTER  SCOTT'S  famous  novel, 
Ivanhoe,  is  read  with  keenest  relish  by  those 
who  love  brilliant,  stirring  romantic  tales.  The 
scene  in  which  the  life  of  the  beautiful  Rebecca 
hangs  upon  the  issue  of  single  .combat  is  most 
touching  and  impressive.  This  scene,  as  given 
in  one  of  the  closing  chapters  of  Ivanhoe,  is  here 
reproduced. 

Brian  de  Bois-Guilbert,^  a  Knight  Templar, 
became  wildly  infatuated  with  the  fair  Jewess, 
Rebecca,  who  did  not  return  his  love.  She  had 
already  lost  her  heart  to  the  brave  Ivanhoe  whom 
she  was  nursing  back  to  health  and  strength;  yet 
she  generously  respected  his  true  love  for  the 
gentle  heiress.  Lady  Rowena.  Bois-Guilbert  had 
plead  for  Rebecca's  love,  but  had  been  heart- 
lessly repulsed.  When  the  great  Castle  of  Tor- 
quilstone,  in  which  Rebecca  was  practicing  her 
healing  arts  on  the  wounded  Ivanhoe,  was  be- 
sieged and  in  flames,  the  ghastly  figure  of  Bois- 
Guilbert,  with  gilded  armor  broken  and  bloody, 
appeared  in  the  sick-room  and  urged  Rebecca  to 
fly  with  him  to  love  and  safety.  "Alone,"  an- 
swered   Rebecca,    "I    will    not    follow    thee"    • 

^Pronounced  bre  Un'  de  bwa'-gel-bar'. 
257 


258  STUDIES  IN  READING 


"Savage  warrior,   rather  will  I   perish  in  the 
flames  than  accept  safety  from  thee!" 

Thereupon  he  seized  the  terrified  maiden,  who 
filled  the  air  with  her  shrieks,  and  bore  her 
through  fire  and  smoke  and  slaughter  to  the 
court-yard.  She  was  mounted  on  horseback  in 
front  of  a  slave  and  hurried  off  to  the  Castle  of 
the  Knights  Templars  at  Templestowe,  where 
she  was  imprisoned  for  a  time,  then  convicted  of 
witchcraft  on  account  of  her  religion,  her  skill 
in  medicine,  and  her  attractiveness.  She  was 
condemned  to  die  the  slow,  wretched  death  by 
fire,  a  sentence  which  was  to  be  suspended  only 
on  condition  that  she  secure  a  champion  who 
should  overcome  the  representative  of  the 
Templars  in  single  combat.  Brian  de  Bois- 
Guilbert  was  chosen  to  fight  Rebecca's  champion 
and  thus  in  victorious  combat  to  lift  from  his 
soul  the  strange  spell  of  her  sorcery.  The  fol- 
lowing extract  tells  of  the  combat  and  its  issue. 

THE  TRIAL  BY  COMBAT 

The  scene  is  the  exterior  of  the  Castle  or 
Preceptory  of  Templestowe,  about  the  hour  when 
the  bloody  die  was  to  be  cast  for  the  life  or  death 
of  Rebecca.  It  was  a  scene  of  bustle  and  life,  as 
if  the  whole  vicinity  had  poured  forth  its  inhabi- 
tants to  a  village  wake  or  rural  feast.  But  the 
earnest  desire  to  look  on  blood  and  death  is  not 


THE    TPtlAL   BY    COMBAT  259 

peculiar  to  those  dark  ages;  though  in  the  gladia- 
torial exercise  of  single  combat  and  general  tour- 
ney, they  were  habituated  to  the  bloody  spectacle 
of  brave  men  falling  by  each  other's  hands.  Even 
in  our  own  days,  when  morals  are  better  under- 
stood, an  execution,  a  bruising  match,  a  riot,  or 
a  meeting  of  radical  reformers,  collects,  at  con- 
siderable hazard  to  themselves,  immense  crowds 
of  spectators,  otherwise  little  interested  except  to 
see  how  matters  are  to  be  conducted. 

The  eyes,  therefore,  of  a  very  considerable  mul- 
titude were  bent  on  the  gate  of  the  Preceptory  of 
Templestowe,  with  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the 
procession ;  while  still  greater  numbers  had 
already  surrounded  the  tiltyard  belonging  to  that 
establishment.  This  enclosure  was  formed  on  a 
piece  of  level  ground  adjoining  the  Preceptory, 
which  had  been  levelled  with  care,  for  the  exer- 
cise of  military  and  chivalrous  sports.  It  occupied 
the  brow  of  a  soft  and  gentle  eminence,  was  care- 
fully palisaded  around,  and,  as  the  Templars 
willingly  invited  spectators  to  be  witnesses  of  their 
skill  in  feats  of  chivalry,  was  amply  supplied  with 
galleries  and  benches  for  their  use. 

On  the  present  occasion,  a  throne  was  erected 
for  the  Grand  Master  at  the  east  end,  surrounded 
with  seats  of  distinction  for  the  Preceptors  and 
Knights  of  the  Order.  Over  these  floated  the 
Facred  standard,  called  Le  Beaiiseant,'^  which  was 
the  ensign,  as  its  name  was  the  battle-cry,  of  the 
Templars. 

^Pronounced  bo'  sfi'  Un'. 


260  STUDIES  IN  READING 

At  the  opposite  end  of  the  lists  was  a  pile  of 
fagots,  so  arranged  around  a  stake,  deeply  fixed 
in  the  ground,  as  to  leave  a  space  for  the  victim 
whom  they  were  destined  to  consume,  to  enter 
within  the  fatal  circle,  in  order  to  be  chained  to 
the  stake  by  the  fetters  which  hung  ready  for  that 
purpose.  Beside  this  deadly  apparatus  stood  four 
black  slaves,  whose  color  and  African  features, 
then  so  little  known  in  England,  appalled  the 
multitude,  who  gazed  on  them  as  on  demons 
employed  about  their  own  diabolical  exercises. 
These  men  stirred  not,  excepting  now  and  then, 
under  the  direction  of  one  who  seemed  their  chief, 
to  shift  and  replace  the  ready  fuel.  They  looked 
not  on  the  multitude.  In  fact,  they  seemed  insen- 
sible of  their  presence,  and  of  everything  save  the 
discharge  of  their  own  horrible  duty.  And  when, 
in  speech  with  each  other,  they  expanded  their 
blubber  lips  and  showed  their  white  fangs,  as  if 
they  grinned  at  the  thoughts  of  the  ekpected 
tragedy,  the  startled  commons  could  scarcely  help 
believing  that  they  were  actually  the  familiar 
spirits  with  whom  the  witch  had  communed,  and 
who,  her  time  being  out,  stood  ready  to  assist  in 
her  dreadful  punishment.  They  whispered  to 
each  other,  and  communicated  all  the  feats  which 
Satan  had  performed  during  that  busy  and 
unhappy  period,  not  failing,  of  course,  to  give  the 
devil  rather  more  than  his  due.     .     .     . 

As  they  thus  conversed,  the  heavy  bell  of  the 
church  of  St.  Michael  of  Templestowe,  a  venerable 


THE    TRIAL    BY    COMBAT  261 

building,  situated  in  a  hamlet  at  some  distance 
from  the  Preceptory,  broke  short  their  argument. 
One  by  one  the  sullen  sounds  fell  successively  on 
the  ear,  leaving  but  sufficient  space  for  each  to  die 
away  in  distant  echo,  ere  the  air  was  again  filled 
by  repetition  of  the  iron  knell.  These  sounds,  the 
signal  of  the  approaching  ceremony,  chilled  with 
awe  the  hearts  of  the  assembled  multitude,  whose 
eyes  were  now  turned  to  the  Preceptory,  expecting 
the  approach  of  the  Grand  Master,  the  champion, 
and  the  criminal. 

At  length  the  drawbridge  fell,  the  gates  opened, 
and  a  knight,  bearing  the  great  standard  of  the 
Order,  sallied  from  the  castle,  preceded  by  six 
trumpets,  and  followed  by  the  Knights  Preceptor, 
two  and  two,  the  Grand  Master  coming  last, 
mounted  on  a  stately  horse,  whose  furniture  was 
of  the  simplest  kind.  Behind  him  came  Brian 
de  Bois-Guilbert,  armed  cap-a-pie  in  bright  armor, 
but  without  his  lance,  shield,  and  sword,  which 
were  borne  by  his  two  esquires  behind  him.  His 
face,  though  partly  hidden  by  a  long  plume  which 
floated  down  from  his  barret-cap,  bore  a  strong 
and  mingled  expression  of  passion,  in  which  pride 
seemed  to  contend  with  irresolution.  He  looked 
ghastly  pale,  as  if  he  had  not  slept  for  several 
nights,  yet  reined  his  pawing  war-horse  with  the 
habitual  ease  and  grace  proper  to  the  best  lance 
of  the  Order  of  the  Temple.  His  general  appear- 
ance was  grand  and  commanding;  but,  looking 
at  him  with  attention,  men  read  that  in  his  dark 


262  STUDIES  IN  READING 

features,  from  which  they  wilhngly  withdrew 
their  eyes. 

On  either  side  rode  Gonrade  of  Mont-Fitchet, 
and  Albert  de  Malvoisin,  who  acted  as  godfathers 
to  the  champion.  They  were  in  their  robes  of 
peace,  the  white  dress  of  the  Order.  Behind  them 
followed  other  Companions  of  the  Temple,  with 
a  long  train  of  esquires  and  pages  clad  in  black, 
aspirants  to  the  honor  of  being  one  day  Knights 
of  the  Order.  After  these  neophytes  came  a  guard 
of  warders  on  foot,  in  the  same  sable  livery, 
amidst  whose  partisans  might  be  seen  the  pale 
form  of  the  accused  moving  with  a  slow  but 
undismayed  step  towards  the  scene  of  her  fate. 
She  was  stripped  of  all  her  ornaments,  lest  per- 
chance there  should  be  among  them  some  of  those 
amulets  which  Satan  was  supposed  to  bestow 
upon  his  victims,  to  deprive  them  of  the  power 
of  confessing  even  when  under  the  torture.  A 
coarse  white  dress,  of  the  simplest  form,  had  been 
substituted  for  her  Oriental  garments;  yet  there 
was  such  an  exquisite  mixture  of  courage  and 
resignation  in  her  look,  that  even  in  this  garb, 
and  with  no  other  ornament  than  her  long  black 
tresses,  each  eye  wept  that  looked  upon  her,  and 
the  most  hardened  bigot  regretted  the  fate  that 
had  converted  a  creature  so  goodly  into  a  vessel 
of  wrath  and  a  waged  slave  of  the  devil. 

A  crowd  of  inferior  personages  belonging  to 
the  Preceptory  followed  the  victim,  all  moving 


THE    TRIAL    BY    COMBAT  263 

with  the  utmost  order,  with  arms  folded,  and  looks 
bent  upon  the  ground. 

This  slow  procession  moved  up  the  gentle 
eminence,  on  the  summit  of  which  was  the  tilt- 
yard,  and,  entering  the  lists,  marched  once  around 
them  from  right  to  left,  and  when  they  had  com- 
pleted the  circle,  made  a  halt.  There  was  then 
a  momentary  bustle,  while  the  Grand  Master  and 
all  his  attendants,  excepting  the  champion  and  his 
godfathers,  dismounted  from  their  horses,  which 
were  immediately  removed  out  of  the  lists  by  the 
esquires,  who  were  in  attendance  for  that  purpose. 

The  unfortunate  Rebecca  was  conducted  to  the 
black  chair  placed  near  the  pile.  On  her  first 
glance  at  the  terrible  spot  where  preparations 
were  making  for  a  death  alike  dismaying  to  the 
mind  and  painful  to  the  body,  she  was  observed 
to  shudder  and  shut  her  eyes,  praying  internally, 
doubtless,  for  her  lips  moved  though  no  speech 
was  heard.  In  the  space  of  a  minute  she  opened 
her  eyes,  looked  fixedly  on  the  pile  as  if  to 
familiarize  her  mind  with  the  object,  and  then 
slowly  and  naturally  turned  away  her  head. 

Meanwhile,  the  Grand  Master  had  assumed  his 
seat;  and  when  the  chivalry  of  his  Order  was 
placed  around  and  behind  him,  each  in  his  due 
rank,  a  loud  and  long  flourish  of  the  trumpets 
announced  that  the  Court  were  seated  for  judg- 
ment. Malvoisin,  then,  acting  as  godfather  of  the 
champion,  stepped  forward,  and  laid  the  glove  of 


264  STUDIES  IN  READING 

the  Jewess,  which  was  the  pledge  of  battle,  at  the 
feet  of  the  Grand  Master. 

"Valorous  Lord,  and  reverend  Father,"  said  he, 
"here  standeth  the  good  knight,  Brian  de  Bois- 
Guilbert,  Knight  Preceptor  of  the  Order  of  the 
Temple,  who,  by  accepting  the  pledge  of  battle 
which  I  now  lay  at  your  reverence's  feet,  hath 
become  bound  to  do  his  devoir  in  combat  this 
day,  to  maintain  that  this  Jewish  maiden,  by  name 
Rebecca,  hath  justly  deserved  the  doom  passed 
upon  her  in  a  chapter  of  this  most  holy  Order  of 
the  Temple  of  Zion,  condemning  her  to  die  as  a 
sorceress; — here,  I  say,  he  standeth,  such  battle 
to  do,  knightly  and  honorable,  if  such  be  your 
noble  and  sanctified  pleasure." 

"Hath  he  made  oath,"  said  the  Grand  Master, 
"that  his  quarrel  is  just  and  honorable?" 

"Sir,  and  most  reverend  Father,"  answered 
Malvoisin,  readily,  "our  brother  here  present  hath 
already  sworn  to  the  truth  of  his  accusation  in 
the  hand  of  the  good  knight  Conrade  de  Mont- 
Fitchet;  and  otherwise  he  ought  not  to  be  sworn, 
seeing  that  his  adversary  is  an  unbeliever,  and 
may  take  no  oath."    .... 

The  Grand  Master,  having  allowed  the  apology, 
commanded  the  herald  to  stand  forth  and  do  his 
devoir.  The  trumpets  then  again  flourished,  and 
a  herald,  stepping  forward,  proclaimed  aloud, 
"Oyez,  oyez,  oyez. — Here  standeth  the  good  knight. 
Sir  Brian  de  Bois-Guilbert,  ready  to  do  battle 
with  any  knight  of  free  blood,  who  will  sustain 


THE    TRIAL    BY    COMBAT  265 

the  quarrel  allowed  and  allotted  to  the  Jewess 
Rebecca,  to  try  by  champion,  in  respect  of  lawful 
essoin  of  her  own  body;  and  to  such  champion 
the  reverend  and  valorous  Grand  Master  here 
present  allows  a  fair  field,  and  equal  partition 
of  sun  and  wind,  and  whatever  else  appertains  to 
a  fair  combat."  The  trumpets  again  sounded,  and 
there  was  a  dead  pause  of  many  minutes. 

"No  champion  appears  for  the  appellant,"  said 
the  Grand  Master.  "Go,  herald,  and  ask  her 
whether  she  expects  any  one  to  do  battle  for  her 
in  this  her  cause."  The  herald  went  to  the  chair 
in  which  Rebecca  was  seated,  and  Bois-Guilbert, 
suddenly  turning  his  horse's  head  towards  that 
end  of  the  lists,  in  spite  of  hints  on  either  side 
from  Malvoisin  and  Mont-Fitchet,  was  by  the  side 
of  Rebecca's  chair  as  soon  as  the  herald. 

"Damsel,"  said  the  herald,  "the  Honorable  and 
Reverend  the  Grand  Master  demands  of  thee,  if 
thou  art  prepared  with  a  champion  to  do  battle 
this  day  in  thy  behalf,  or  if  thou  dost  yield  thee 
as  one  justly  condemned  to  a  deserved  doom?" 

"Say  to  the  Grand  Master,"  replied  Rebecca, 
"that  I  maintain  my  innocence,  and  do  not  yield 
me  as  justly  condemned,  lest  I  become  guilty  of 
mine  own  blood.  Say  to  him,  that  I  challenge 
such  delay  as  his  forms  will  permit,  to  see  if  God, 
whose  opportunity  is  in  man's  extremity,  will 
raise  me  up  a  deliverer;  and  when  such  uttermost 
space  is  passed,  may  His  holy  will  be  done!"    The 


266  STUDIES  IN  READING 

herald  retired  to  carry  this  answer  to  the  Grand 
Master. 

"God  forbid,"  said  Lucas  Beaumanoir,  "that  Jew 
or  pagan  should  impeach  us  of  injustice! — Until 
the  shadows  be  cast  from  the  west  to  the  eastward, 
will  we  wait  to  see  if  a  champion  shall  appear 
for  this  unfortunate  woman.  When  the  day  is  so 
far  passed,  let  her  prepare  for  death." 

The  herald  communicated  the  words  of  the 
Grand  Master  to  Rebecca,  who  bowed  her  head 
submissively,  folded  her  arms,  and,  looking  up 
towards  heaven,  seemed  to  expect  that  aid  from 
above  which  she  could  scarce  promise  herself 
from  man.  During  this  awful  pause,  the  voice  of 
Bois-Guilbert  broke  upon  her  ear — it  was  but  a 
whisper,  yet  it  startled  her  more  than  the  sum- 
mons of  the  herald  had  appeared  to  do. 

"Rebecca,"  said  the  Templar,  "dost  thou  hear 
me?" 

"I  have  no  portion  in  thee,  cruel,  hard-hearted 
man,"  said  the  unfortunate  maiden. 

"Ay,  but  dost  thou  understand  my  words?"  said 
the  Templar;  "for  the  sound  of  my  voice  is  fright- 
ful in  mine  own  ears.  I  scarce  know  on  what 
ground  we  stand,  or  for  what  purpose  they  have 
brought  us  hither. — This  listed  space — that  chair — 
these  fagots — I  know  their  purpose,  and  yet  it 
appears  to  me  like  something  unreal — the  fearful 
picture  of  a  vision  which  appalls  my  sense  with 
hideous  fantasies,  but  convinces  not  my  reason." 

"My  mind  and  senses  keep  touch  and  time," 


THE    TRIAL   BY    COMBAT  267 

answered  Rebecca,  "and  tell  me  alike  that  these 
fagots  are  destined  to  consume  my  earthly  body, 
and  open  a  painful  but  a  brief  passage  to  a  better 
world." 

"Dreams,  Rebecca, — dreams,"  answered  the 
Templar;  "idle  visions,  rejected  by  the  wisdom  of 
your  own  wiser  Sadducees.  Hear  me,  Rebecca," 
he  said,  proceeding  with  animation;  "a  better 
chance  hast  thou  for  life  and  liberty  than  yonder 
knaves  and  dotard  dream  of.  Mount  thee  behind 
me  on  my  steed — on  Zamor,  the  gallant  horse  that 
never  failed  his  rider.  I  won  him  in  single  fight 
from  the  Soldan  of  Trebizond — mount,  I  say, 
behind  me — in  one  short  hour  is  pursuit  and 
inquiry  far  behind — a  new  world  of  pleasure 
opens  to  thee — to  me  a  new  career  of  fame.  Let 
them  speak  the  doom  which  I  despise,  and  erase 
the  name  of  Bois-Guilbert  from  their  list  of 
monastic  slaves !  I  will  wash  out  with  blood  what- 
ever blot  they  may  dare  to  cast  on  my  escutcheon." 

"Tempter,"  said  Rebecca,  "begone! — Not  in  this 
last  extremity  canst  thou  move  me  one  hair's- 
breadth  from  my  resting-place — surrounded  as  I 
am  by  foes,  I  hold  thee  as  my  worst  and  most 
deadly  enemy — avoid  thee,  in  the  name  of  God!" 

Albert  Malvoisin,  alarmed  and  impatient  at  the 
duration  of  their  conference,  now  advanced  to 
interrupt  it. 

"Hath  the  maiden  acknowledged  her  guilt?"  he 
demanded  of  Bois-Guilbert;  "or  is  she  resolute 
in  her  denial?" 


268  STUDIES  IN  READING 

"She  is  indeed  resolute**  said  Bois-Guilbert. 

At  this  instant  a  knight,  urging  his  horse  to 
speed,  appeared  on  the  plain  advancing  towards 
the  lists.  A  hundred  voices  exclaimed,  "A  cham- 
pion! A  champion!"  And  despite  the  prepos- 
sessions and  prejudices  of  the  multitude,  they 
shouted  unanimously  as  the  knight  rode  into  the 
tiltyard.  The  second  glance,  however,  served  to 
destroy  the  hope  that  his  timely  arrival  had  ex- 
cited. His  horse,  urged  for  many  miles  to  its 
utmost  speed,  appeared  to  reel  from  fatigue,  and 
the  rider,  however  undauntedly  he  presented  him- 
self in  the  lists,  either  from  weakness,  weariness, 
or  both,  seemed  scarce  able  to  support  himself 
in  the  saddle. 

To  the  summons  of  the  herald,  who  demanded 
his  rank,  his  name,  and  purpose,  the  stranger 
knight  answered  readily  and  boldly :  "I  am  a  good 
knight  and  noble,  come  hither  to  sustain  with 
lance  and  sword  the  just  and  lawful  quarrel  of 
this  damsel,  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Isaac  of  York; 
to  uphold  the  doom  pronounced  against  her  to  be 
false  and  truthless,  and  to  defy  Sir  Brian  de  Bois- 
Guilbert,  as  a  traitor,  murderer,  and  liar!  as  I  will 
prove  in  this  field  with  my  body  against  his,  by  the 
aid  of  God,  of  Our  Lady,  and  of  Monseigneur  Saint 
George,  the  good  knight." 

"The  stranger  must  first  show,"  said  Malvoisin, 
"that  he  is  a  good  knight,  and  of  honorable  line- 
age. The  Temple  sendeth  not  forth  her  cham- 
pions against  nameless  men." 


THE    TRIAL   BY    COMBAT  269 

"My  name,"  said  the  knight,  raising  his  helmet, 
"is  better  known,  my  lineage  more  pure,  Malvoisin, 
than  thine  own.     I  am  Wilfred  of  Ivanhoe." 

"I  will  not  fight  with  thee  at  present,"  said  the 
Templar,  in  a  changed  and  hollow  voice.  "Get  thy 
wounds  healed,  purvey  thee  a  better  horse,  and  it 
may  be  I  will  hold  it  worth  my  while  to  scourge 
out  of  thee  this  boyish  spirit  of  bravado." 

"Ha !  proud  Templar,"  said  Ivanhoe,  "hast  thou 
forgotten  that  twice  didst  thou  fall  before  this 
lance?  Remember  the  lists  at  Acre — remember 
the  passage  of  arms  at  Ashby — remember  thy 
proud  vaunt  in  the  halls  of  Rotherwood,  and  the 
gage  of  your  gold  chain  against  my  reliquary,  that 
thou  wouldst  do  battle  with  Wilfred  of  Ivanhoe, 
and  recover  the  honor  thou  hadst  lost!  By  that 
reliquary,  and  the  holy  relic  it  contains,  I  will 
proclaim  thee.  Templar,  a  coward  in  every  court 
in  Europe,  in  every  Preceptory  of  thine  Order, 
unless  thou  do  battle  without  further  delay." 

Bois-Guilbert  turned  his  countenance  irreso- 
lutely towards  Rebecca,  and  then  exclaimed, 
looking  fiercely  at  Ivanhoe,  "Dog  of  a  Saxon !  take 
thy  lance,  and  prepare  for  the  death  thou  hast 
drawn  upon  thee!" 

"Does  the  Grand  Master  allow  me  the  combat?" 
said  Ivanhoe. 

"I  may  not  deny  what  thou  hast  challenged," 
said  the  Grand  Master,  "provided  the  maiden 
accepts  thee  as  her  champion.  Yet  I  would  thou 
wert  in  better  plight  to  do  battle.     An  enemy  of 


270  STUDIES  IN  READING 


our  Order  hast  thou  ever  been,  yet  would  I  have 
thee  honorably  met  with." 

"Thus — thus  as  I  am,  and  not  otherwise,"  said 
Ivanhoe;  "it  is  the  judgment  of  God — to  his  keep- 
ing I  commend  myself. — Rebecca,"  said  he,  riding 
up  to  the  fatal  chair,  "dost  thou  accept  of  me  for 
thy  champion?" 

"I  do,"  she  said,  "I  do,"  fluttered  by  an  emotion 
which  the  fear  of  death  had  been  unable  to  pro- 
duce, "I  do  accept  thee  as  the  champion  whom 
Heaven  hath  sent  me.  Yet,  no — no — thy  wounds 
are  uncured.  Meet  not  that  proud  man.  Why 
shouldst  thou  perish,  also?" 

But  Ivanhoe  was  already  at  his  post,  and  had 
closed  his  visor  and  assumed  his  lance.  Bois- 
Guilbert  did  the  same;  and  his  esquire  remarked, 
as  he  clasped  his  visor,  that  his  face,  which  had, 
notwithstanding  the  variety  of  emotions  by  which 
he  had  been  agitated,  continued  during  the  whole 
morning  of  an  ashy  paleness,  was  now  become 
suddenly  very  much  flushed. 

The  herald,  then,  seeing  each  champion  in  his 
place,  uplifted  his  voice,  repeating  thrice — Faites 
vos  devoirs,  preux  chevaliers!  After  the  third 
cry,  he  withdrew  to  one  side  of  the  lists,  and  again 
proclaimed,  that  none,  on  peril  of  instant  death, 
should  dare,  by  word,  cry,  or  action,  to  interfere 
with  or  disturb  this  fair  field  of  combat.  The 
Grand  Master,  who  held  in  his  hand  the  gage  of 
battle,  Rebecca's  glove,  now  threw  it  into  the  lists, 


THE    TRIAL   BY    COMBAT  271 


and  pronounced  the  fatal  signal  words,  Laissez 
alter. 

The  trumpets  sounded,  and  the  knights  charged 
each  other  in  full  career.  The  wearied  horse  of 
Ivanhoe,  and  its  no  less  exhausted  rider,  went 
down,  as  all  had  expected,  before  the  well-aimed 
lance  and  vigorous  steed  of  the  Templar.  This 
issue  of  the  combat  all  had  foreseen;  but  although 
the  spear  of  Ivanhoe  did  but,  in  comparison,  touch 
the  shield  of  Bois-Guilbert,  that  champion,  to  the 
astonishment  of  all  who  beheld  it,  reeled  in  his 
saddle,  lost  his  stirrups,  and  fell  in  the  lists. 

Ivanhoe,  extricating  himself  from  his  fallen 
horse,  was  soon  on  foot,  hastening  to  mend  his 
fortune  with  his  sword;  but  his  antagonist  arose 
not.  Wilfred,  placing  his  foot  on  his  breast,  and 
the  sword's  point  to  his  throat,  commanded  him 
to  yield  him,  or  die  on  the  spot.  Bois-Guilbert 
returned  no  answer. 

"Slay  him  not,  Sir  Knight,"  cried  the  Grand 
Master,  "unshriven  and  unabsolved — kill  not  body 
and  soul!     We  allow  him  vanquished." 

He  descended  into  the  lists,  and  commanded 
them  to  unhelm  the  conquered  champion.  His 
eyes  were  closed  —  the  dark  red  flush  was  still 
on  his  brow.  As  they  looked  on  him  in  astonish- 
ment, the  eyes  opened — but  they  were  fixed  and 
glazed.  The  flush  passed  from  his  brow,  and  gave 
way  to  the  pallid  hue  of  death.  Unscathed  by 
the  lance  of  his  enemy,  he  had  died  a  victim  to 
the  violence  of  his  own  contending  passions. 


272  STUDIES  IN  READING 

"This  is  indeed  the  judgment  of  God,"  said  the 
Grand  Master,  looking  upward — **Fiat  voluntas 
tuar 

When  the  first  moments  of  surprise  were  over, 
Wilfred  of  Ivanhoe  demanded  of  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter, as  judge  of  the  field,  if  he  had  manfulW  and 
rightfully  done  his  duty  in  the  combat? 

"Manfully  and  rightfully  hath  it  been  done," 
said  the  Grand  Master;  "I  pronounce  the  maiden 
free  and  guiltless — The  arms  and  the  body  of  the 
deceased  knight  are  at  the  will  of  the  victor." 

"I  will  not  despoil  him  of  his  weapons,"  said 
the  Knight  of  Ivanhoe,  "nor  condemn  his  corpse 
to  shame — he  hath  fought  for  Christendom — God's 
arm,  no  human  hand,  hath  this  day  struck  him 
down."— Szr  Walter  Scott. 


NOTES 

1.  Preceptory.     Preceptor  was  the  title  given  to  a  commander  of 

the  Knights  Templar.  Hence  the  word  preceptory,  a  reli- 
gious castle  of  the  Templars  with  fortifications,  a  church, 
and  other  buildings.  Albert  Malvoisin  was  President,  or 
Preceptor,  of  the  establishment  of  Templestowe.  Beau- 
manoir  was  the  Grand  Master. 

2.  Look  up  the  history  of  the  Knights  Templar. 

3.  Cap-a-pie.     From  head  to  foot. 

4.  Barret-cap.     A    kind   of   head-piece   worn   by   the   knights   in 

battle. 

5.  Devoir.     Duty. 

6.  Oyez,  oycz,  oyez.     Hear  ye!  Hear  ye!  Hear  ye! 

7.  Essoin.     Excuse  for  non-appearance. 

8.  Our  Lady.     The  Virgin  ^Mary. 

9.  8t.  Oeorge.     Sainted  champion  of  right  by  whose  name  the 

most  valiant  Christian  knights  took  their  holiest  pledges. 


THE    TRIAL   BY    COMBAT  273 

10.  Acre,  Ashby.     Places  where,  in  tournament,  Ivanhoe  had  tri- 

umphed over  Bois-Guilbert. 

11.  Faites  vos   devoirs,   preiix   chevaliers.     Do  your   duty,   brave 

knights ! 

12.  Laissez  aller.     Let  go,  or  Go! 

13.  Fiat  voluntas  tua!    Thy  will  be  done! 

14.  Look  up  carefully  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  as  here 

used:  Preceptory,  die,  gladiatorial,  hazard,  tiltyard,  chiv- 
alry, lists,  diabolical,  esquires,  cap-a-pie,  barret-cap,  neo- 
phytes, partisans,  amulets,  bigot,  devoir,  appellant,  im- 
peach, escutcheon,  doom,  purvey,  reliquary,  gage,  unshri.ven, 
unabsolved. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Give  a  brief  summary  of  the  events  leading  up  to  the  combat 

scene. 

2.  Why  were  so  many  people  so  anxious  to  look  on  blood  and 

death? 

3.  For  what  was  the  tiltyard  used  ? 

4.  Describe  briefly  the  scene  presented  before  the  Grand  Master 

appeared. 

5.  Why  did  the  black  slaves  appall   the  multitudes? 

6.  What  effect  was  produced  by  the  tolling  of  the  church  bell  ? 

7.  Why  do  the  Knights  Templar   appear  with   such  pomp   and 

ceremony  ? 

8.  What  emotions  filled  the  heart  of  Bois-Guilbert? 

9.  Why  was  he  "ghastly  pale"? 

10.  Explain  "men  read  that  in  his  dark  features  from  which  they 

Avillingly  withdrew  their  eyes." 

11.  Why  was  Rebecca  stripped  of  her  ornaments  and  clothed  in 

coarse  white? 

12.  Explain  "each  eye  wept  that  looked  at  her." 

13.  Why  did  even  the  most  hardened  bigot  regret  her  fate? 

14.  Why  was  Rebecca  thought  to  be  "praying  internally"? 

15.  Describe  the   ceremonies   which   precede  the  inquiry   for   Re- 

becca's champion. 

16.  Why  was  Bois-Guilbert  so  quick  to  move  to  Rebecca's  side? 

17.  What  is  shown  of  Rebecca  in  her  reply  to  the  herald? 

18.  What  solution  of  the  difficulty  does  Bois-Guilbert  now  offer 

Rebecca  ? 


274  STUDIES  IN  READING 

19.  Explain  fully  her  "I  hold  thee  as  my  worst  and  most  deadly 

enemy." 

20.  Explain  "She  is  indeed  resolute." 

21.  Why  did  the  crowd  greet  the  "champion"  so  eagerly? 

22.  Why  did  not   Bois-Guilbert  desire   to  fight   with  the  young 

knight  ? 

23.  What  taunt  does  Ivanhoe  utter? 

24.  What  threat  declared  by  Bois-Guilbert? 

25.  Explain  Ivanhoe's  "it  is  the  judgment  of  God." 

26.  Why  was  Rebecca  loath  to  accept  Ivanhoe  as  her  champion  ? 

27.  Describe  briefly  the  combat. 

28.  Explain  "he  had  died  a  victim  of  his  own  contending  pas- 

sions." 

29.  In  what  sense  was  this  "the  judgment  of  God"? 

30.  What  shows  that  the  Grand  Master  acquiesced  in  the  decision? 

31.  Explain  "God's  arm,  no  human  hand,  hath  this  day  struck 

him  down." 

32.  What  was  the  final  verdict  of  the  Grand  ^Master? 

33.  What  are  the  strongest  points  in  the  character  of  Rebecca  ? 

In  the  character  of  Ivanhoe  ? 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Scott:  Ivanhoe.  Kenilworth.  The  Talisman. 

Rolfe:    Tales  of  Chivalry  and  the  Oklcn  Times. 

Reade  :  Cloister  and  Hearth. 

Browning:    Count  Gismond.  Herv6  Riel. 

Porter:   Scottish  Chiefs. 

GiLDEB:  The  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

Lowell:  Vision  of  Sir  Launfal. 

Tennyson:     Sir   Galahad.   Tlie    Lady   of    Shalott.    Idylls   of  the 

King.  Home  They  Brought  Her  Warrior  Dead. 
Browning:  Incident  of  a  French  Camp. 
Halleck  :  Marco  Bozzaris. 
Wilson  :   Such  is  the  Death  the  Soldier  Dies. 
Hunt:  The  Glove  and  the  Lions. 
E.  S.  Brooks  :   Chivalric  Days. 
Church:  Heroes  of  Chivalry  and  Romance. 
Lanier:  The  Boys'  King  Arthur. 


THE    PARTING    OF    THE    WAYS 

^^'ATIONS,  like  individuals,  have  to  work  out 
their  larger  destinies.  Every  individual  has 
a  special  work  to  do  and  so  with  every  nation. 
All  nations  have  tried  to  solve  their  problems, 
and  in  most  instances  have  failed  because  of 
narrow  vision  or  because  of  selfishness. 

In  this  poem  the  author  looks  upon  America 
as  the  great  Giant  of  the  West  unhindered  by 
past  mistakes,  blessed  with  heaven's  mercies  and 
free  to  work  out  its  larger  destiny.  He  imagines 
that  the  nation  is  like  a  young  Hercules  coming 
to  its  age  of  responsibility  where  the  paths  di- 
vide. One  path  leads  to  heights  sublime,  and 
the  other  leads  downward  where  only  wrecks  may 
be  found.  The  nation  must  choose  what  path  it 
shall  follow;  whether  to  oppress  or  to  befriend 
the  weak,  whether  to  seek  empty  honor  merely, 
or  whether  to  work  out  its  larger  mission  of 
service  to  mankind.  The  prayer  of  the  poet  is 
that  this  nation  may  choose  the  nobler  part,  and 
that  it  may  work  out  its  destiny  by  being  "god- 
like in  the  will  to  serve."  This  poem  was  writ- 
ten just  at  the  time  when  the  United  States  was 
hesitating  whether  or  not  to  push  out  on  a  larger 
policy  of  territorial  expansion.    The  poet  seems 

275 


276  STUDIES  IN  READING 

to  feel  that  true  national  greatness  lies  not 
merely  in  extent  of  territory,  but  in  the  spirit 
in  which  our  country  performs  its  work  among 
the  nations  of  earth. 

THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS* 

Untrammeled  Giant  of  the  West, 
With  all  of  Nature's  gifts  endowed. 

With  all  of  Heaven's  mercies  blessed, 
Nor  of  thy  power  unduly  proud — 

Peerless  in  courage,  force,  and  skill. 

And  godlike  in  thy  strength  of  will, — 

Before  thy  feet  the  ways  divide: 

One  path  leads  up  to  heights  sublime; 

Downward  the  other  slopes,  where  bide 
The  refuse  and  the  wrecks  of  Time. 

Choose,  then,  nor  falter  at  the  start, 

O  choose  the  nobler  path  and  part! 

Be  thou  the  guardian  of  the  weak. 
Of  the  unfriended,  thou  the  friend; 

No  guerdon  for  thy  valor  seek, 
No  end  beyond  the  avowed  end. 

Wouldst  thou  thy  godlike  power  preserve, 

Be  godlike  in  the  will  to  serve ! 

— Joseph  B.  Gilder. 


*Used  by  pormisaion  of,  and  by  special  arrangement  with,  the 
authorized  publishers,  Houghton  Mifflin  Company. 


THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS  277 


NOTES 

1.  Look  up  the  life  of  Joseph  B.  Gilder. 

2.  Look  up  the  history  of  this  government  at  the  time  of  the  war 

with  Spain. 

3.  Guerdon   (ger'-dfuin).     Reward, 

4.  Read  carefully  "The  Choice  of  Hercules." 

5.  Look  up  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and  expressions : 

untrammeled,    endowed,    unduly    proud,    peerless,    sublime, 
refuse,  falter,  guardian,  guerdon,  valor,  avowed. 

EXERCISES 

1.  With  what  thought  in  mind  did  the  poet  write  this  poem? 

2.  Why  does  he  speak  of  the  country  as  the  "Giant  of  the  West"? 

3.  Why  untrammeled? 

4.  How  endowed  with  all  of  nature's  gifts? 

5.  How  blessed  with  all  of  heaven's  mercies? 

6.  What  is  the  best  thing  he  says  about  the  country  in  the  first 

stanza  ? 

7.  How  does  he  show  that  the  country  has  reached  a  crisis  in  its 

progress  ? 

8.  What  two  paths  opened  before  it? 

9.  How  does  the  poet  desire  the  country  to  choose? 

10.  Explain  ""NTo  guerdon  for  thy  valor  seek." 

11.  What  is  the  "avowed  end"? 

12.  How  can  the  country  preserve  its  godlike  power? 

13.  Explain  fully  the  meaning  of  the  last  line. 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Kipling:   The  Recessional.     If — . 

The  Choice  of  Hercules. 

Sill:   Opportunity. 

Inqalls:  Opportunity. 

Whittier:   The  Lost  Occasion.  Centennial  Hymn. 

RusKiN :   The  Dawn  of  Peace. 

Holmes  :  The  Chambered  Nautilus. 

Longfellow:  Excelsior. 

Arnold:   Self -Dependence. 


OH,  WHY  SHOULD  THE  SPIRIT  OF 
MORTAL  BE  PROUD? 

npHIS  poem  has  been  cherished  by  many  be- 
cause it  was  the  favorite  poem  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  It  is  said  that  he  recited  it  to  mem- 
bers of  his  cabinet  in  the  darkest  days  of  the 
Civil  War.  He  was  heard  many  times  to  quote 
from  the  poem  or  to  refer  to  it.  It  seemed  to 
be  a  part  of  him.  When  one  studies  the  poem, 
he  does  not  wonder  that  so  serious-minded  a  man 
as  Lincoln  loved  it.  A  strain  of  lofty  seriousness 
pervades  the  poem,  and  "we,  things  that  are  now" 
are  called  from  pride  to  humility  of  spirit.  Some 
have  thought  the  poem  to  be  especially  sad  be- 
cause it  tells  of  the  many  who  "Have  quietly 
mingled  their  bones  in  the  dust"  and  reminds  us 
that  the  life  of  each  is  fleeting— the  mere  "wink 
of  an  eye." 

Those  who  knew  Lincoln  best  felt  that,  under- 
neath the  strain  of  sadness,  he  caught  one  clear 
note  of  joy  in  the  thought  that  even  a  brief  life 
could  be  lived  seriously  and  filled  with  deeds  of 
unselfish  service. 

278 


SHOULD  SPIRIT  OF  MORTAL  BE  PROUD  279 

OH,  WHY  SHOULD  THE  SPIRIT  OF  MORTAL 
BE  PROUD? 

Oh,  why  should  the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud? 
Like  a  swift-fleeting  meteor,  a  fast-flying  cloud, 
A  flash  of  the  lightning,  a  break  of  the  wave, 
He  passeth  from  life  to  his  rest  in  the  grave. 

The  leaves  of  the  oak  and  the  willow  shall  fade. 
Be  scattered  around,  and  together  be  laid; 
As  the  young  and  the  old,  the  low  and  the  high. 
Shall  crumble  to  dust  and  together  shall  lie. 

The  infant  a  mother  attended  and  loved. 
The  mother  that  infant's  affection  who  proved, 
The  father  that  mother  and  infant  who  blessed, — 
Each,  all,  are  away  to  that  dwelling  of  rest. 

The  maid  on  whose  brow,  on  whose  cheek,  in 

whose  eye, 
Shone  beauty  and  pleasure, — her  triumphs  are  by; 
And  alike  from  the  minds  of  the  living  erased 
Are  the  memories  of  mortals  who  loved  her  and 

praised. 

The  head  of  the  king,  that  the  scepter  hath  borne ; 
The  brow  of  the  priest,  that  the  miter  hath  worn; 
The  eye  of  the  sage,  and  the  heart  of  the  brave, — 
Are  hidden  and  lost  in  the  depths  of  the  grave. 


280  STUDIES  IN  READING 

The  peasant,  whose  lot  was  to  sow  and  to  reap; 
The  herdsman,  who  climbed  with  his  goats  up 

the  steep; 
The    beggar,    who    wandered    in    search    of    his 

bread, — 
Have  faded  away  like  the  grass  that  we  tread. 

The    saint,    who    enjoyed    the    communion    of 

Heaven; 
The  sinner,  who  dared  to  remain  unforgiven; 
The  wise  and  the  foolish,  the  guilty  and  just, — 
Have  quietly  mingled  their  bones  in  the  dust. 

So  the  multitude  goes,  like  the  flower  or  the  weed, 
That  withers  away  to  let  others  succeed; 
So  the  multitude  comes,  even  those  we  behold, 
To  repeat  every  tale  that  has  often  been  told. 

For  we  are  the  same  our  fathers  have  been; 
We  see  the  same  sights  our  fathers  have  seen; 
We  drink  the  same  stream,  we  see  the  same  sun, 
And  run  the  same  course  our  fathers  have  run. 

The   thoughts   we   are   thinking  our  fathers   did 

think; 
From  the  death  we  are  shrinking  our  fathers  did 

shrink ; 
To  the  life  we  are  clinging  our  fathers  did  cling. 
But  it  speeds  from  us  all  like  a  bird  on  the  wing. 


SHOULD  SPIRIT  OF  MORTAL  BE  PROUD  281 


They  loved, — but  the  story  we  can  not  unfold; 
They  scorned, — but  the  heart  of  the  haughty  is 

cold; 
They  grieved, — but  no  wail  from  their  slumbers 

will  come; 
They  joyed, — but  the  tongue  of  their  gladness  is 

dumb. 

They  died, — ah!  they  died, — we,  things  that  are 

now. 
That  walk  on  the  turf  that  lies  over  their  brow. 
And  make  in  their  dwelling  a  transient  abode. 
Meet  the  things  that  they  met  on  their  pilgrimages 

road. 

Yea,  hope  and  despondency,  pleasure  and  pain. 
Are  mingled  together  in  sunshine  and  rain: 
And  the  smile  and  the  tear,  and  the  song  and  the 

dirge. 
Still  follow  each  other  like  surge  upon  surge. 

Tis  the  wink  of  an  eye,  'tis  the  draught  of  a  breath. 
From  the  blossom  of  health  to  the  paleness  of 

death. 
From  the  gilded  saloon  to  the  bier  and  the  shroud; 
Oh,  why  should  the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud? 

— William  Knox. 

NOTES 

1.  Read  Lincoln's  Gettysburg  Address  to  find  what  lesson  the 

living  should  learn  from  the  deeds  of  heroic  dead. 

2.  Compare  this  poem  with  "Thanatopsis,"  "Elegy  Written  in  a 

Country  Churchyard,"  and  Psalms  xc  and  ciii. 


282  STUDIES  IN  READING 

3.  Triumphs  are  hy.    Triumphs  are  past. 

4.  Gilded  saloon.     An  elegant  reception  hall. 

5.  Look    up    carefully    the    following    words    and    expressions: 

spirit,  mortal,  meteor,  crumble,  affection,  blessed,  triumphs, 
erased,  scepter,  miter,  sage,  peasant,  saint,  communion,  mul- 
titude, withers,  view,  scorned,  grieved,  wail,  turf,  transient 
abode,  pilgrimage  road,  dirge,  surge,  draught,  gilded 
saloon,  bier. 

EXERCISES 

1.  How  did  Abraham  Lincoln  regard  this  poem? 

2.  To  what  is  the  life  of  man  likened  in  the  first  stanza  ? 

3.  Why  is  death  spoken  of  as  "rest"  in  comparison  with  life? 

4.  With  what  are  "the  young  and  the  old,  the  low  and  the  high" 

compared  in  the  second  stanza? 

5.  Why  does  the  author  name  in  detail  those  who  have  passed 

away? 

6.  What  expressions  does  he  use  to  indicate  death? 

7.  To  what  is  the  multitude  of  mortals  compared  in  stanza  8  ? 

8.  Explain  "repeat  every  tale  that  has  often  been  told." 

9.  In  what  sense  are  we  "the  same  our  fathers  have  been"  ? 

10.  Why  are  mortals  spoken  of  as  "things  that  are  now"? 

11.  In  what  sense  do  we   "make  in  their   dwelling  a  transient 

abode"? 

12.  What  expressions  are  used  to  indicate  the  brevity  of  life? 

13.  What  note  of  comfort  is  there  in  the  poem? 

14.  In  what  respect  is  the  opening  question  of  the  poem  different 

from  the  closing  question  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Bryant:  Thanatopsis. 

Gray:  Elegy  Written  in  a  Country  Churchyard. 

Psalms  xc  and  ciii. 

Browning:  The  Patriot.  Prospice. 

Tennyson:  In  Memoriam. 

Longfellow:  The  Reaper  and  the  Flowers. 

Lowell:  The  Changeling. 

Stephen  Henry  TiiAYER:  The  Waiting  Choir. 

Poe:  The  Raven. 


SHOULD  SPIRIT  OF  MORTAL  BE  PROUD  283 

Wordsworth:   Intimations  on  Immortality. 

Edwin  Arnold  :  After  Death. 

Lincoln:   Gettysburg  Address. 

McCreery  :    There  Is  No  Death. 

Sill:  The  Future. 

Stoddard:  The  Soul's  Defiance. 


UNWEAPONED  PEACE 

There  is  a  story  told 
In  Eastern  tents,  when  autumn  nights  grow  cold. 
And  round  the  fire  the  Mongol  shepherds  sit 
With  grave  responses  listening  unto  it: 
Once,  on  the  errands  of  his  mercy  bent, 
Buddha,  the  holy  and  benevolent. 
Met  a  fell  monster,  huge  and  fierce  of  look. 
Whose  awful  voice  the  hills  and  forests-  shook. 
"0  Son  of  peace!"  the  giant  cried,  "thy  fate 
Is  sealed  at  last,  and  love  shall  yield  to  hate." 
The  unarmed  Buddha,  looking,  with  no  trace 
Of  fear  or  anger,  in  the  monster's  face. 

In  pity  said:  "Poor  fiend,  even  thee  I  love." 
Lo!  as  he  spake,  the  sky-tall  terror  sank 
To  hand-breadth  size;  the  huge  abhorrence  shrank 

Into  the  form  and  fashion  of  a  dove; 
And  where  the  thunder  of  its  rage  was  heard. 
Circling  above  him  sweetly  sang  the  bird; 
"Hate  hath  no  harm  for  love" — so  ran  the  song; 
"And  peace  unweaponed  conquers  every  wrong." 

— Anonymous. 


SUPPOSED    SPEECH    OF 
JOHN  ADAMS 

A  MERICANS  of  to-day  are  likely  to  think 
that  the  fathers  were  a  unit  as  to  declaring 
their  independence  of  Great  Britain.  As  a  mat- 
ter of  fact,  it  was  only  after  long  deliberation  and 
strenuous  debate,  for  and  against,  that  the  vote 
was  favorable. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  the  author  of  the  famous 
document,  was  not  a  ready  talker  and  debater. 
He,  however,  found  a  worthy  assistant  in  John 
Adams,  whose  splendid  abilities  along  these  lines 
made  his  efforts  so  powerful  that  he  received  the 
significant  nickname  of  "The  Colossus  of  Inde- 
pendence." 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  ad- 
dress of  Daniel  Webster,  August  2,  1826,  in 
Faneuil  Hall,  Boston,  on  the  occasion  of  a  pub- 
lic memorial  meeting  in  honor  of  Adams  and 
Jefferson  who  had  both  passed  away  on  July  4 
of  the  same  year.  It  was  a  remarkable  co- 
incidence that  both  these  great  leaders  died  on 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  signing  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

284 


SUPPOSED  SPEECH  OF  JOHN  ADAMS     285 

In  this  extract,  Webster  gives  what  he  im- 
agines Adams  might  have  said  to  those  who 
opposed  the  signing  of  that  immortal  document. 

SUPPOSED  SPEECH  OF  JOHN  ADAMS 

"Sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or  perish, 
I  give  my  hand  and  my  heart  to  this  vote.  It  is 
true,  indeed,  that  in  the  beginning  we  aimed  not 
at  independence.  But  there's  a  divinity  which 
shapes  our  ends.  The  injustice  of  England  has 
driven  us  to  arms;  and,  blinded  to  her  own  inter- 
est for  our  good,  she  has  obstinately  persisted, 
till  independence  is  now  within  our  grasp.  We 
have  but  to  reach  forth  to  it,  and  it  is  ours.  Why, 
then,  should  we  defer  the  declaration?  Is  any 
man  so  weak  as  now  to  hope  for  a  reconciliation 
with  England,  which  shall  leave  either  safety  to 
the  country  and  its  liberties,  or  safety  to  his  own 
life  and  his  own  honor?  Are  not  you,  sir,  who 
sit  in  that  chair,  is  not  he,  our  venerable  colleague 
near  you,  are  you  not  both  already  the  proscribed 
and  predestined  objects  of  punishment  and  of 
vengeance?  Cut  off  from  all  hope  of  royal  clem- 
ency, what  are  you,  what  can  you  be,  while  the 
power  of  England  remains,  but  outlaws?  If  we 
postpone  independence  do  we  mean  to  carry  on, 
or  to  give  up  the  war?  Do  we  mean  to  submit 
to  the  measures  of  parliament,  Boston  Port  Bill 
and  all?  Do  we  mean  to  submit,  and  consent 
that  we  ourselves  shall  be  ground  to  powder,  and 


286  •         STUDIES  IN  READING 

our  country  and  its  rights  trodden  down  in  the 
dust?  I  know  we  do  not  mean  to  submit.  We 
never  shall  submit.  Do  we  intend  to  violate  that 
most  solemn  obligation  ever  entered  into  by  men, 
that  plighting,  before  God,  of  our  sacred  honor 
to  Washington,  when,  putting  him  forth  to  incur 
the  dangers  of  war,  as  well  as  the  political  hazards 
of  the  times,  we  promised  to  adhere  to  him,  in 
every  extremity,  with  our  fortunes  and  our  lives? 
I  know  there  is  not  a  man  here  who  would  not 
rather  see  a  general  conflagration  sweep  over  the 
land,  or  an  earthquake  sink  it,  than  one  jot  or 
tittle  of  that  plighted  faith  fall  to  the  ground.  For 
myself,  having,  twelve  months  ago,  in  this  place, 
moved  you,  that  George  Washington  be  appointed 
commander  of  the  forces  raised,  or  to  be  raised, 
for  defense  of  American  liberty,  may  my  right 
hand  forget  her  cunning,  and  my  tongue  cleave  to 
the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I  hesitate  or  waver  in 
the  support  I  give  him. 

"The  war,  then,  must  go  on.  We  must  fight  it 
through.  And  if  the  war  must  go  on,  why  put  off 
longer  the  declaration  of  independence?  That 
measure  will  strengthen  us.  It  will  give  us  char- 
acter abroad.  The  nations  will  then  treat  with  us, 
which  they  never  can  do  while  we  acknowledge 
ourselves  subjects,  in  arms  against  our  sovereign. 
Nay,  I  maintain  that  England  herself  will  sooner 
treat  for  peace  with  us  on  the  footing  of  inde- 
pendence, than  consent,  by  repealing  her  acts,  to 
acknowledge  that  her  whole  conduct  toward  us 


SUPPOSED  SPEECH  OF  JOHN  ADAMS     287 

has  been  a  course  of  injustice  and  oppression. 
Her  pride  will  be  less  wounded  by  submitting  to 
that  course  of  things  which  now  predestinates  our 
independence,  than  by  yielding  the  points  in  con- 
troversy to  her  rebellious  subjects.  The  former 
she  would  regard  as  the  result  of  fortune;  the  lat- 
ter she  would  feel  as  her  own  deep  disgrace.  Why, 
then,  why,  then,  sir,  do  we  not  as  soon  as  possible 
change  this  from  a  civil  to  a  national  w^ar?  And 
since  we  must  fight  it  through,  why  not  put  our- 
selves in  a  state  to  enjoy  all  the  benefits  of  victory, 
if  we  gain  the  victory? 

"If  we  fail,  it  can  be  no  worse  for  us.  But  we 
shall  not  fail.  The  cause  will  raise  up  armies;  the 
cause  will  create  navies.  The  people,  the  people, 
if  we  are  true  to  them,  will  carry  us,  and  will  carry 
themselves,  gloriously,  through  this  struggle.  I 
care  not  how  fickle  other  people  have  been  found. 
I  know  the  people  of  these  colonies,  and  I  know 
that  resistance  to  British  aggression  is  deep  and 
settled  in  their  hearts,  and  cannot  be  eradicated. 
Every  colony,  indeed,  has  expressed  its  willingness 
to  follow,  if  we  but  take  the  lead.  Sir,  the  declara- 
tion will  inspire  the  people  with  increased  cour- 
age. Instead  of  a  long  and  bloody  war  for  the 
restoration  of  privileges,  for  redress  of  grievances, 
for  chartered  immunities,  held  under  a  British 
king,  set  before  them  the  glorious  object  of  entire 
independence,  and  it  will  breathe  into  them  anew 
the  breath  of  life.  Read  this  declaration  at  the 
head  of  the  army;  every  sword  will  be  drawn  from 


288  STUDIES  IN  READING 

its  scabbard,  and  the  solemn  vow  uttered  to  main- 
tain it,  or  to  perish  on  the  bed  of  honor.  Publish 
it  from  the  pulpit,  religion  will  approve  it,  and 
the  love  of  religious  liberty  will  cling  round  it, 
resolved  to  stand  with  it,  or  fall  with  it.  Send  it 
to  the  pubHc  halls;  proclaim  it  there;  let  them 
hear  it  who  heard  the  first  roar  of  the  enemy's 
cannon;  let  them  see  it  who  saw  their  brothers 
and  their  sons  fall  on  the  field  of  Bunker  Hill, 
and  in  the  streets  of  Lexington  and  Concord,  and 
the  very  walls  will  cry  out  in  its  support. 

"Sir,  I  know  the  uncertainty  of  human  affairs, 
but  I  see,  I  see  clearly,  through  this  day's  business. 
You  and  I,  indeed,  may  rue  it.  We  may  not  live 
to  the  time  when  this  declaration  shall  be  made 
good.  We  may  die;  die  colonists;  die  slaves;  die, 
it  may  be,  ignominiously  and  on  the  scaffold.  Be 
it  so.  Be  it  so.  If  it  be  the  pleasure  of  Heaven 
that  my  country  shall  require  the  poor  offering 
of  my  life,  the  victim  shall  be  ready,  at  the 
appointed  hour  of  sacrifice,  come  when  that  hour 
may.  But  while  I  do  live,  let  me  have  a  country, 
or  at  least  the  hope  of  a  country,  and  that  a  free 
country. 

"But  whatever  may  be  our  fate,  be  assured,  be 
assured  that  this  declaration  will  stand.  It  may 
cost  treasure,  and  it  may  cost  blood;  but  it  will 
stand,  and  it  will  richly  compensate  for  both. 
Through  the  thick  gloom  of  the  present,  I  see  the 
brightness  of  the  future  as  the  sun  in  heaven.  We 
shall  make  this  a  glorious,  an  immortal  day.  When 


SUPPOSED  SPEECH  OF  JOHN  ADAMS     289 

we  are  in  our  graves,  our  children  will  honor  it. 
They  will  celebrate  it  with  thanksgiving,  with 
festivity,  with  bonfires,  and  illuminations.  On  its 
annual  return  they  will  shed  tears,  copious,  gush- 
ing tears,  not  of  subjectioa  and  slavery,  not  of 
agony  and  distress,  but  of  exultation,  of  gratitude, 
and  of  joy.  Sir,  before  God,  I  believe  the  hour  is 
come.  My  judgment  approves  this  measure,  and 
my  whole  heart  is  in  it.  All  that  I  have,  and  all 
that  I  am,  and  all  that  I  hope,  in  this  life,  I  am 
now  ready  here  to  stake  upon  it;  and  I  leave  off  as 
I  begun,  that  live  or  die,  survive  or  perish,  I  am 
for  the  declaration.  It  is  my  living  sentiment,  and 
by  the  blessing  of  God  it  shall  be  my  dying  senti- 
ment, independence,  now,  and  independence 
FOREVER." — Daniel  Webster. 

NOTES 

1.  John  Hancock  presided  over  the  meeting  and  the  "venerable 

colleague  near  you"  was  Samuel  Adams.  Each  of  these 
men  had  been  declared  outlaws  and  a  price  had  been  set 
upon  their  heads.  Read  in  any  good  history  the  story  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

2.  Make  yourself  familiar  with  the  biography  of  Jefferson  and 

John  Adams. 

3.  Define,    as    used   here:      reconciliation,    colleague,    proscribed, 

predestined,  clemency,  plighting,  controversy,  fickle,  eradi- 
cated, real,  ignominiously,  compensate,  chartered  immuni- 
ties. 

EXERCISES 

.   1.  Who  may  "sink  or  swim,"  "live  or  die,"  etc.? 
2.  To  what  vote  does  he  give  his  heart  and  hand  ? 
8.  Whom  does  he  quote  when  he  says,  "There  is  a  divinity  which 
shapes  our  ends"? 


290  STUDIES  IN  READING 

4.  What  was  the  effect  of  calling  attention  to  the  outlawing  of 

Adams  and  Hancock? 

5.  What  is  the   second  argument  against  longer   deferring  the 

declaration  ? 

6.  To  what  does  he  next  call  attention? 

7.  From  what  book  does  he  take  many  of  his  expressions? 

8.  How  would   he   regard  any  one   who   forgets   the   pledge   to 

Washington  ? 

9.  What  argument  does  he  next  urge  for  the  declaration? 

10.  What  does  he  next  proceed  to  do? 

11.  What  means  does  he  employ  to  strengthen  the  faint  heart? 

12.  Where  does  the  peroration  begin? 

13.  Why  does  he  make  the  frequent  appeals  to  God  in  the  closing 

paragraph  ? 

14.  Find  as  many  things  as  you  can  that  make  this  an  oration 

that  will  convince. 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Webster:  Bunker  Hill  Oration.  Reply  to  Hayne. 

PiERPONT:  Warren's  Address  at  Bunker  Hill. 

Longfellow:  Paul  Revere's  Ride. 

Emerson:  Concord  Hymn. 

Scott:  Patriotism. 

Lowell:  Centennial  Hymn. 

Read:  The  Rising  in  1776.  Our  Defenders. 

Bryant:  Our  Country's  Call.  Seventy-Six. 

Wallace:  The  Sword  of  Bunker  Hill. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence. 

Patrick  Henry  :  A  Call  to  Arms. 

McMaster:  The  Old   Continentals. 

Whittier:  Abraham  Davenport. 


DIXIE 

T^  VERY  pupil  in  our  schools  should  know  the 
most  popular  of  the  songs  of  the  South,  the 
South's  greatest  folk-lore  piece.  The  movement 
recently  begun  at  Memphis  to  erect  a  monument 
to  the  author  of  "Dixie"  has  created  a  new  in- 
terest in  the  song  and  in  its  origin.  Daniel 
Decatur  Emmett  was  born  near  Mt.  Vernon, 
Ohio,  October  29,  1815.  He  left  home  in  early 
manhood  and  spent  the  most  of  his  years  between 
the  ages  of  twenty  and  forty  in  the  South,  visiting 
New  York  for  a  few  weeks  each  summer.  By 
profession,  he  was  a  wandering  minstrel,  travel- 
ing all  over  the  United  States,  making  and 
singing  his  own  songs  everywhere  he  went.  On 
the  death  of  his  parents,  he  returned  to  live  in 
the  little  homestead  he  had  inherited.  For  many 
years  later  he  lived  in  Chicago.  When  too  old 
to  follow  his  chosen  work,  he  retired  to  the  little 
Mt.  Vernon  homestead  where  he  eked  out  a 
miserable  existence,  poor  and  practically  for- 
saken, until  his  death  in  1904.  Only  his  nearest 
neighbors  knew  that  the  forsaken  old  man  was. 
the  author  of  the  immortal  "Dixie." 

The  circumstances  attending  the  composition 
of  the  song  are  interestingly  told  by  Mr.  Edward 

291 


292  STUDIES    IN   READING 

Bok,  editor  of  the  Ladies'  Home  Journal,  in  an 
article  written  in  1895  and  first  published  in  the 
Pittsburg  Dispatch,    He  says: 

"  'Dixie  Land,'  which  is  really  the  proper  name 
of  the  song,  was  written  by  Emmett  in  1859, 
while  he  was  a  member  of  the  celebrated 
'Bryant's  Minstrels,'  which  then  held  forth  at 
No.  472  Broadway,  in  New  York  City.  .  .  . 
One  Saturday  night  after  a  performance,  Em- 
mett left  the  hall  and  was  proceeding  homeward 
when  he  was  overtaken  by  Jerry  Bryant  and 
asked  to  make  a  'hooray'  and  bring  it  to  the 
rehearsal  Monday  morning.  .  .  .  He  com- 
posed the  'walk-around'  next  day,  Sunday,  and 
took  it  to  the  rehearsal  JVIonday  morning,  music 
and  words  complete.  The  tune  and  words  of 
'Dixie'  as  now  sung  are  ^Ir.  Emmett's,  exactly 
as  he  wrote  them." 

This  is  in  substance  the  story  told  by  the  author 
in  declining  years  when  his  memory  was  failing. 
He  insisted,  however,  that  he  had  played  the  air 
on  a  Southern  tour  nearly  a  year  before  the  New 
York  incident.  Professor  Herman  Arnold,  an 
eminent  musician,  formerly  of  JNIontgomerjs 
Alabama,  now  of  Memphis,  declares  that  Em- 
mett came  to  Montgomery  in  January,  1859,  and 
played  and  sang  "Di^ie."  Professor  Arnold 
was  so  taken  with  the  melody  that  he  requested 


DIXIE  293 

a  copy  of  the  music,  but  as  Emmett  declared  no 
copy  had  been  made,  the  Professor  transcribed 
the  music  as  the  author  played  the  air  on  his 
violin.  Professor  Arnold  has  the  original  score 
and  has  offered  to  present  it  to  the  Tennessee 
Historical  Society. 

Whatever  may  be  the  true  story  of  its  origin, 
it  spread  like  wildfire  and  became  a  general 
favorite  as  rapidly  as  minstrel  troupes  could 
bring  it  to  the  people.     Mr.  Bok  further  says: 

"It  is  interesting  to  know  how  'Dixie'  became 
a  Southern  war-song.  A  spectacular  perform- 
ance was  being  given  in  Xew  Orleans  late  in  the 
fall  of  1860.  Each  part  had  been  filled;  all  that 
was  lacking  was  a  national  march  and  song  for 
the  grand  chorus,  a  part  the  leader  had  omitted 
until  the  very  last  moment.  A  great  many 
marches  and  songs  were  tried,  but  none  could  be 
decided  upon.  'Dixie'  was  suggested  and  tried, 
and  all  were  so  enthusiastic  over  it  that  it  was 
at  once  adopted  and  given  in  the  performance. 
Immediately  it  was  taken  up  by  the  populace, 
and  sung  in  the  streets,  in  homes  and  concert 
halls  daily.  It  was  taken  to  the  battlefields  and 
there  established  as  the  Southern  Confederacy 
war  song." 

President  Lincoln  was  the  most  distinguished 
contemporary     admirer     of    the    catchy    tune. 


294  STUDIES    IN   READING 

Shortly  after  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  Appomat- 
tox, he  requested  the  band  to  play  "Dixie,"  re- 
marking pleasantly  that  "As  we  have  captured 
the  Confederate  army,  we  have  also  captured  the 
Confederate  tune,  and  both  belong  to  us."  From 
that  day  to  this  "Dixie"  has  been  a  general 
favorite.  "Its  beginning  was  in  the  minstrel 
show,  it  was  dedicated  as  a  battle  song  in  the 
great  uprising  of  the  South,  and  in  its  last  estate 
it  has  a  place  among  the  enduring  music  of  the 
Union." 

It  has  been  conjectured  generally  that  "Dixie" 
is  the  diminutive  form  of  "Dixon"  and  that 
"Dixie  Land"  is  therefore  the  country  south  of 
Mason  and  Dixon's  line,  a  line  fixed  in  1763-'67 
by  the  British  Government  as  the  boundary  line 
between  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  later  made 
famous  as  the  boundary  line  between  the  free 
and  the  slave  states. 

The  song  as  originally  written  and  kept  as  the 
only  authentic  version  of  "Dixie"  is  as  follows. 

DIXIE 

I  wish  I  was  in  de  land  ob  cotton,  old  times  dar 

are  not  forgotten; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

In  Dixie  land  whar  I  was  born  in,  early  on  one 

frosty  mornin'; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 


DIXIE  295 


Chorus 

Den  I  wish  I  was  in  Dixie,  hooray!  hooray! 

In  Dixie's  land  I'll  took  my  stand,  to  lib  and  die 

in  Dixie. 
Away,  away,  away  down  south  in  Dixie! 
Away,  away,  away  down  south  in  Dixie! 

Ole  missus  marry  "Will-de-Weaber;"  Willum  was 

a  gay  deceaber; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

But  when  he  put  his  arm  around  her,  he  smiled 

as  fierce  as  a  forty-pounder; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

His  face  was  sharp  as  a  butcher's  cleaber,  but  dat 

did  not  seem  to  greab  her; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

Ole  missus  acted  the  foolish  part,  and  died  for  a 

man  dat  broke  her  heart; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

Now  here's  health  to  the  next  ole  missus,  an'  all 

de  gals  dat  want  to  kiss  us; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

But  if  you  want  to  drive  'way  sorrow,  come  an' 

hear  dis  song  to-morrow; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 

Dar's  buckwheat  cakes  an'  Injun  batter,  makes 
you  fat  or  a  little  fatter; 
Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land ! 


296  STUDIES    IN   READING 

Den   hoe   it  down   an'   scratch   your  grabble,   to 
Dixie's  land  I'm  bound  to  trabble; 
Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  land! 
— Daniel  Decatur  Emmett, 

EXERCISES 

1.  Give  the  probable  origin  of  the  term  "Dixie." 

2.  For  what  purpose  was  the  song  originally  written? 

3.  Explain,   then,   the   appropriateness    of    the     line    beginning, 

"But  if  you  want  to  drive  'way  sorrow." 

4.  What  is  the  one  central   wish  expressed  in  the  poem? 

5.  At   what  season   would   such   a  wish   be   expressed  generally 

by  traveling  minstrel  troupes? 

6.  What   in   the    song   fitted    it   to  become   a    favorite    in    army 

camps  ? 

7.  What  in  the  song  caused  it  to  be  a  favorite  in  the  South? 

8.  What  sentiment  in  the  song  makes  it  a  universal  favorite? 
0.  Have    the    music    played.      Have    the    school    sing   the    song. 

What  in  the  music  makes  the  song  generally  loved? 
10,  Give    a    brief    sketch    of    the    author's    career.     W^hat    has 
recently  brought  his  name  into  public  notice  ? 

ADDITIONAL    READINGS 

Maryland,  My  Maryland. 

Bonnie  Blue  Flag. 

Payne:   Home,  Sweet  Home. 

Old  Kentucky  Home. 

When  Johnnie  Comes  INfarcliing  Home. 

Other  versions  of  Dixie. 

Other  songs  of  the  nation. 


There  is  so  much  bad  in  the  best  of  us. 
And  so  much  good  in  the  worst  of  us, 
That  it   ill  behooves   any  of  us 
To  talk  about  the  rest  of  us. 

— Robert  Louis  Stevenson. 


FOR  A'  THAT,  AND  A'  THAT 

"^[O  singer  has  surpassed  Robert  Burns  in 
warmth  and  tenderness  of  appeal  to  the 
human  heart.  The  Scottish  Bard  hved  and  loved 
intensely.  He  endured  failure  and  success,  pain 
and  pleasure,  with  the  same  tenderness  and  love 
for  his  fellow  man.  He  suffered  from  extreme 
want,  yet  was  feasted  by  lords  and  kings.  He 
was  born  in  a  rude  cottage  of  clay,  but  he  was 
courted  and  caressed  by  the  witty,  the  fashion- 
able, and  the  learned  in  Scotland's  capital.  In 
fact,  he  knew  every  rank  of  life  from  the  lowest 
to  the  highest.  He  knew  the  best  and  the  worst 
in  the  human  heart.  Hence  a  spirit  of  "homey" 
tenderness  and  sympathy  pervaded  all  he  wrote. 
As  he  neared  the  close  of  his  short  life  of  thirty- 
seven  j^ears,  he  was  in  a  position  to  discern  the 
true  values  in  life.  In  this  poem,  he  utters  the 
prayer  that  sense  and  worth  and  true  manhood 
may  ultimately  prevail  over  lower  standards  of 
wealth  and  rank,  so 

"That  man  to  man,  the  warld  o'er, 
Shall  brothers  be  for  a'  that." 

Concerning  this  song.  Burns  wrote  to  a  friend : 
"A  great  critic  (Aikin)  on  songs  says  that  love 

297 


298  STUDIES  IN  READING 

and  wine  are  the  exclusive  themes  for  song- 
writing.  The  following  is  on  neither  subject, 
and  consequently  is  no  song;  but  will  be  allowed, 
I  think,  to  be  two  or  three  pretty  good  prose 
thoughts  converted  into  rhyme." 

FOR  A'  THAT  AND  A'  THAT 
Is  there  for  honest  poverty 

Wha  hangs  his  head,  and  a'  that? 
The  coward  slave,  we  pass  him  by, 

We  dare  be  poor  for  a'  that! 
For  a'  that,  and  a'  that, 

Our  toil's  obscure,  and  a'  that; 
The  rank  is  but  the  guinea's  stamp. 

The  man's  the  gowd  for  a'  that. 

What  tho'  on  Hamely  fare  we  dine. 

Wear  hodden-gray,  and  a'  that; 
Gie  fools  their  silks,  and  knaves  their  wine, 

A  man's  a  man  for  a'  that. 
For  a'  that,  and  a'  that. 

Their  tinsel  show,  and  a'  that; 
The  honest  man,  though  e'er  sae  poor, 

Is  king  o'  men  for  a'  that. 

Ye  see  yon  birkie,  ca'd  a  lord, 
Wha  struts,  and  stares,  and  a'  that; 

Tho'  hundreds  worship  at  his  word, 
He's  but  a  coof  for  a'  that; 

For  a'  that,  and  a'  that, 


FOR  A'  THAT,  AND  A'  THAT  299 

His  riband,  star,  and  a'  that; 
The  man  of  independent  mind. 
He  looks  and  laughs  at  a'  that. 

A  prince  can  mak'  a  belted  knight, 

A  marquis,  duke,  and  a'  that; 
But  an  honest  man's  aboon  his  might, 

Guid  faith,  he  mauna  fa'  that! 
For  a'  that,  and  a'  that. 

Their  dignities,  and  a'  that; 
The  pith  o'  sense,  and  pride  o'  worth. 

Are  higher  ranks  than  a'  that. 

Then  let  us  pray  that  come  it  may. 

As  come  it  will,  for  a'  that. 
That  sense  and  worth  o'er  a'  the  earth, 

May  bear  the  gree,  and  a'  that. 
For  a'  that,  and  a'  that. 

It's  coming  yet,  for  a'  that. 
That  man  to  man,  the  warld  o'er, 

Shall  brothers  be  for  a'  that. 

— Robert  Burns. 


NOTES 

1.  Read  Burns'  "The  Cotter's  Saturday  Night"  for  a  true  picture 

of  simple  but  pure  home  life  among  the  peasants  of  his  day. 

2.  Make  a  list  of  the  things  by  which  men  are  judged  to-day. 

3.  Gowd.     Gold. 

4.  Eamely.     Homely. 

5.  Hodden-grey.     Coarse     woolen     cloth     worn     by     the     poorer 

classes. 

6.  Gie.     Give. 

7.  Birkie.     A  forward,  conceited  fellow. 


300  STUDIES  IN  READING 

8.  Wha.     Who. 

9.  Coof.     Blockhead,  fool. 

10.  Ahoon.     Above. 

11.  He  mauna  fa'  that.     He  must  not  try  that. 

12.  Bear  the  gree.     Be  victorious.     Gree  is  a  prize. 

13.  In  addition  to  learning  the  meanings  of  the  foregoing  words, 

be  prepared  to  give  the  meanings  of  the  following:  honest 
poverty,  guinea's  stamp,  tinsel  show,  riband,  star,  marquis, 
duke,  guid  faith,  dignities,  sense,  worth. 

EXERCISES 

1.  How  does  Burns  regard  one  who  is  ashamed  of  honest  pov- 

erty? 

2.  How  does  he  regard  rank?     What  relation  has  rank  to  the 

man  himself? 

3.  In  what  sense  is  the  honest  man  "king  o'  men"  ? 

4.  How  can  such  a  poor  man  be  a  king? 

5.  How  does  Bums  characterize  the  Scottish  lord  of  his  day? 

6.  Why  call  the  lord  a  "coof"  when  hundreds   worship  at  his 

word? 

7.  How  does  the  independent  thinker  regard  rank  and  title? 

8.  What  power  is  a  prince  acknowledged  to  possess?     What  is 

beyond  his  power? 
0.  Explain  "pith  o'  sense,"  "pride  o'  worth." 

10.  In  what  sense  are  these  higher  ranks  than  those  of  knight, 

marquis,  or  duke? 

11.  What  is  the  real  burden  of  Burns'  prayer? 

12.  What  shows  that  he  is  certain  his  prayer  will  bo  answered? 

13.  What  truth  of  life  does  Burns  set  forth? 

14.  What  in  his  own  life  fitted  him  to  discover  and  to  reveal  this 

truth? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Burns  :  The  Cotter's  Saturday  Night.  To  a  Mouse.  To  a  Mountain 
Daisy.  Address  to  the  Unco  Guid.  Tarn  O'Shanter.  Auld 
Lang  Syne. 

Holland:  God  Give  Us  Men. 

Bridges  :  Life's  Mirror. 

Walter:  My  Creed. 


FOR  A'  THAT,  AND  A'   THAT  301 

The  Greatness  of  Dan'l  Gregg. 
Hunt:  Abou  Ben  Adhem. 
NicoLL :   Tlie  Hero. 
Jones  :  What  Constitutes  a  State  ? 
Phoebe  Gary  :  A  Leak  in  the  Dyke. 
Browning:    The  Patriot. 
Smith:  The  Self  Exiled. 
Eliot:  The  Choir  Invisible. 
Piatt:  The  Gift  of  Empty  Hands. 
Ruskin:   The  Dawn  of  Peace. 
Goldsmith  :  The  Deserted  Village. 


LO,  THE  POOR  INDIAN! 

Lo,  the  poor  Indian!  whose  untutored  mind 
Sees  God  in  clouds,  or  hears  Him  in  the  wind; 
His  soul,  proud  science  never  taught  to  stray 
Far  as  the  solar  walk,  or  Milky  Way; 
Yet  simple  nature  to  his  hope  has  given 
Behind  the  cloud-topp'd  hill,  an  humbler  heaven ; 
Some  safer  world,  in  depths  of  woods  embraced, 
Some  happier  island  in  the  watery  waste. 
Where  slaves  once  more  their  native  land  behold, 
No  fiends  torment,  no  Christian  thirsts  for  gold; 
To  be,  contents  his  natural  desire, 
He  asks  no  angel's  wing,  no  seraph's  fire; 
But  thinks,  admitted  to  that  equal  sky. 
His  faithful  dog  shall  bear  him  company. 

— Alexander  Pope. 


THE   LORD'S   PRAYER 

'T^  HE  following  beautiful  version  of  this 
prayer  was  found  at  Corinth,  Mississippi, 
by  A.  P.  Green,  of  Auburn,  Indiana,  on  the 
morning  of  May  30, 1862,  just  as  the  Confeder- 
ate forces  evacuated  the  city.  These  lines  were 
printed  on  very  heavy  satin  bearing  the  date 
July  4,  1823: 

Thou  to  the  Mercy  Seat  our  souls 

dost  gather, 

To  do  our  duty  unto  Thee 0ur  ^att^cr 

To  whom  all  praise,  all  honor,  should 

be  given, 

For  Thou  art  the  Great  God vo^o  art  in  l^carcn, 

Thou,    by    Thy    wisdom,    rul'st   the 

world's  wide  fame; 

Forever,  therefore    I^allonjcb  be  dl^y  "<i"^^« 

Let  nevermore  delays  divide  us  from 

Thy  glorious  grace,  but  may (Et^y  ktngbom  come. 

Let   Thy   commands    opposed  be  by 

none 

But  Thy  good  pleasure  and (El^Y  totU  be  bone 

And  let  our  promptness  to  obey  be 

even 

The  very  same on  cartl^,  as  'tis  in  ^eaven. 

Then,  for  our  souls,  O  Lord,  we  also 

pray, 

Thou  wouldst  be  pleased  to (Sire  us  tl^ts  bay 

The  food  of  life,  wherewith  our  souls 

are  fed. 
Sufficient    raiment    and our  baily  breab, 

302 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER  303 

With  every  needful  thing  do  Thou 
relieve  us, 

And  of  Thy  mercy,  pity anb  forgtre  us 

All    our   misdeeds,    for   Him,    whom 
Thou  didst  please 

Tc  make  an  offering  for our  trespasses, 

And,  forasmuch,  O  Lord,  as  we  be- 
lieve 

That  Thou  wilt  pardon  us as  we  forgirc 

Let   that   love   teach,   wherewith 
Thou  dost  acquaint  us, 

To  pardon  all tt^ose  n)t]0  trespass  against  us, 

And  though,  sometimes,  Thou  findst 
we  have  forgot 

This  love  for  Thee,  yet  help anb  leab  us  not 

Through  soul  or  body  want,  to 
desperation, 

Nor  let  earth's  gain  drive  us into  temptation, 

Let  not  the  soul  of  any  true  believer 

Fall  in  the  time  of  trial but  beliper 

Yea,  save  them  from  the  malice  of 
the  devil. 

And,  both  in  life  and  death,  keep .  .  us  from  eril, 

Thus    pray   we,    Lord,    for    that    of 
Thee,  from  whom 

This  may  be  had for  Q^t^ine  is  tt^e  ktngbom, 

Tliis  world  is  of  Thy  work,  its 
wondrous  story 

To  Thee  belongs ttje  power,  anb  the  glory 

And  all  Thy  wondrous  works 
have  ended  never. 

But  will  remain  forever  and f orerer. 

Thee,  we  poor  creatures  would  con- 
fess again, 

And  thus  would  say  eternally Hnten. 


THE  VISION  OF  SIR  LAUNFAL 

A  CCORDING  to  friends  of  James  Russell 
^  ^  Lowell,  l^he  Vision  of  Sir  Launfal  was 
composed  in  forty-eight  hours  under  a  "spell  of 
poetic  transport."  The  poem  was  written  in 
1848,  published  in  a  thin  hand-book,  and  at  once 
sprang  wildly  into  jDopular  favor.  Tliis  was  a 
day  of  fierce  opposition  to  slavery.  Lowell's 
soul  burned  with  zeal  for  reform.  In  a  letter  to 
a  friend,  in  1846,  he  said, 

"Then  it  seems  as  if  my  heart  would  break  in 
pourmg  out  one  glorious  song  that  should  be  the 
gospel  of  reform.  .  .  That  way  mv  madness  lies, 
if  any." 

The  study  of  the  poem  is  simplified  by  notic- 
ing the  story  within  the  story.  The  primary 
story  deals  with  the  real  Sir  Launfal  who,  in  a 
night,  dreams  the  secondary  story,  the  Vision 
proper.  The  primary  story  covers  but  a  night. 
The  secondary  story  covers  a  lifetime  in  which 
the  imaginary  Sir  Launfal,  through  wanderings, 
deprivations,  and  untold  sufferings,  experiences 
a  refinement  of  soul  that  fits  him  to  reflect  the 
spirit  of  the  lowly  Nazarene. 

The  following  note  was  prefixed  to  the  first 

304 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  305 

edition  by  the  author,  and  was  retained  by  him 
in  all  subsequent  editions: 

"According  to  the  mythology  of  the  Roman- 
cers, the  San  Greal,  or  Holy  Grail,  was  the  cup 
out  of  which  Jesus  Christ  partook  of  the  last 
supper  with  his  disciples.  It  was  brought  into 
England  by  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  and  remained 
there,  an  object  of  pilgrimage  and  adoration  for 
many  years,  in  the  keeping  of  his  lineal  descend- 
ants. It  was  incumbent  upon  those  who  had 
charge  of  it  to  be  chaste  in  thought,  word,  and 
deed;  but  one  of  the  keepers  having  broken  this 
condition,  the  Holy  Grail  disappeared.  From 
that  time  it  was  a  favorite  enterprise  of  the 
knights  of  Arthur's  court  to  go  in  search  of  it. 
Sir  Galahad  was  at  last  successful  in  finding  it, 
as  may  be  read  in  the  seventeenth  book  of  the 
Romance  of  King  Arthur.  Tennyson  has  made 
Sir  Galahad  the  subject  of  one  of  the  most  ex- 
quisite of  his  poems." 

THE  VISION  OF  SIR  LAUNFAL 


PART  FIRST 

PRELUDE 

Over  his  keys  the  musing  organist. 

Beginning  doubtfully  and  far  away, 
First  lets  his  fingers  wander  as  they  list,^ 


^List.    Please,  as  in  the  Biblical  statement,  "The  wind  bloweth 
where  it  listeth." 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  307 

And  builds  a  bridge  from  Dreamland  for  his 
lay;' 
Then,  as  the  touch  of  his  loved  instrument 

Gives    hope    and    fervor,    nearer    draws    his 
theme,^ 
First  guessed  by  faint  auroral  flushes*  sent 
Along  the  wavering  vista  of  his  dream. 

Not  only  around  our  infancy 
Doth  heaven  with  all  its  splendors  lie;^ 
Daily,  with  souls  that  cringe  and  plot. 
We  Sinais  climb^  and  know  it  not. 
Over  our  manhood  bend  the  skies; 
Against  our  fallen  and  traitor  lives 
The  great  winds  utter  prophecies; 

With  our  faint  hearts  the  mountain  strives; 
Its  arms  outstretched,  the  druid  wood^ 

^Lay.     Song — here  meaning  simply  a  musical  composition. 

^Theme.     The  subject  or  the  simple  tune  of  a  piece  of  music. 

*Auroral  Flushes.  Flushes  like  the  faint  pink  that  appears 
in  the  sky  just  before  the  dawn  of  day. 

^Stanza  2.  The  first  two  lines  of  the  stanza  are  directly 
suggested  by  the  statement  in  William  Wordsworth's  Ode  on 
Intimations  of  Immortality, 

"Heaven  lies  about  us  in  our  infancy." 
Lowell   believes,   on  the  other  hand,   that  heaven   lies   about  us 
not  only  in  our  infancy,  but  throughout  our  lives. 

^We  Sinais  climb.  Sinai  was  the  mountain  upon  which,  as 
told  in  the  Book  of  Exodus,  the  Lord  descended  to  speak  with 
Moses  and  gave  him  the  Tables  of  the  Testimony.  See  Exodus 
19  and  24.  Lowell  means  that  we  daily  reach  points  from  which 
we  can  come  into  close  communion  wath  God. 

''Druid  wood.  The  Druids  w^ere  the  ministers  of  the  mysterious 
pagan  religion  of  the  Celts.  Many  of  their  rites  were  performed 
in  oak  woods. 


308  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Waits  with  its  benedicite;^ 
And  to  our  age's  drowsy  blood 

Still  shouts  the  inspiring  sea. 
Earth  gets  its  price  for  what  Earth  gives  us; 

The  beggar  is  taxed  for  a  corner  to  die  in. 
The  priest  hath  his  fee  who  comes  and  shrives 
us,9 

We  bargain  for  the  graves  we  lie  in; 
At  the  Devil's  booth^°  are  all  things  sold. 
Each  ounce  of  dross  costs  its  ounce  of  gold; 

For  a  cap  and  bells^^  our  lives  we  pay, 
Bubbles  we  buy  with  a  whole  soul's  tasking: 

'Tis  heaven  alone  that  is  given  away, 
'Tis  only  God  may  be  had  for  the  asking; 

No  price  is  set  on  the  lavish  summer, 
June  may  be  had  by  the  poorest  comer. 

And  what  is  so  rare  as  a  day  in  June? 

Then,  if  ever,  come  perfect  days; 
Then  Heaven  tries  earth  if  it  be  in  tune, 

And  over  it  softly  her  warm  ear  lays; 


*Denedicite.  Tlie  Latin  imperative  meaning  "Bless  ye."  It 
is  common  in  the  Latin  translation  of  the  Bible,  and  is  the 
regular  title  of  the  beautiful  hymn  beginning,  "0  ye  works  of 
the  Lord,  bless  ye  the  Lord." 

^Shrives.     Pronounces  absolution. 

^"Devil's  booth.  The  world,  as  used  in  such  a  phrase  as  "the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil";  the  world  of  purely  material 
enjoyment. 

^^Cap  and  hells.  Part  of  the  costume  regularly  worn  by 
court  fools,  or  jesters,  in  the  Middle  Ages.  The  cap  and  bells 
are  mentioned  as  typical  of  what  is  absolutely  frivolous  and 
unenduring. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  309 


Whether  we  look,  or  whether  we  Hsten, 
We  hear  Hfe  murmur,  or  see  it  glisten; 
Every  clod  feels  a  stir  of  might. 

An  instinct  within  it  that  reaches  and  towers. 
And,  groping  blindly  above  it  for  light. 

Climbs  to  a  soul  in  grass  and  flowers  ;^- 
The  flush  of  life  may  well  be  seen 

Thrilling  back  over  hills  and  valleys; 
The  cowslip  startles  in  meadows  green. 

The  buttercup  catches  the  sun  in  its  chalice,^^ 
And  there's  never  a  leaf  or  a  blade  too  mean 
To  be  some  happy  creature's  palace; 
The  little  bird  sits  at  his  door  in  the  sun, 

Atilt  like  a  blossom  among  the  leaves. 
And  lets  his  illumined  being  o'errun 

With  the  deluge  of  summer  it  receives; 
His  mate  feels  the  eggs  beneath  her  wings. 
And  the  heart  in  her  dumb  breast  flutters  and 

sings; 
He  sings  to  the  wide  world,  and  she  to  her  nest, — 
In  the  nice^*  ear  of  Nature  which  song  is  the  best? 

Now  is  the  high-tide  of  the  year. 

And  whatever  of  life  hath  ebbed  away 

"Climhs  to  a  soul  in  grass  and  flowers.  As  a  man,  however 
unlovely  his  outer  appearance,  may  have  a  beautiful  soul,  so 
the  ugly  clod  of  earth  is  spoken  of  as  having  the  beautiful  grass 
and  flowers  for  its  soul. 

^^Chalice.  A  cup — especially  the  cup  used  in  celebrating 
the  Holy  Communion.  The  reference  here  is  to  the  shape  of 
the  buttercup. 

^*Nice.     Here  used  in  its  proper  meaning  of  exact,  accurate. 


310 STUDIES  IN  READING 

Comes  flooding  back  with  a  ripply  cheer. 

Into  every  bare  inlet  and  creek  and  bay; 
Now  the  heart  is  so  full  that  a  drop  overfills  it» 
We  are  happy  now  because  God  wills  it; 
No  matter  how  barren  the  past  may  have  been, 
'Tis  enough  for  us  now  that  the  leaves  are  green; 
We  sit  in  the  warm  shade  and  feel  right  well 
How  the  sap  creeps  up  and  the  blossoms  swell; 
We  may  shut  our  eyes,  but  we  cannot  help  know- 
ing 
That  skies  are  clear  and  grass  is  growing; 
The  breeze  comes  whispering  in  our  ear 
That  dandelions  are  blossoming  near. 

That    maize    has    sprouted,    that    streams    are 
flowing. 
That  the  river  is  bluer  than  the  sky. 
That  the  robin  is  plastering  his  house  hard  by; 
And  if  the  breeze  kept  the  good  news  back. 
For  other  couriers^^  we  should  not  lack; 

We  could  guess  it  all  by  yon  heifer's  lowing, — 
And  hark!  how  clear  bold  chanticleer,^^ 
Warmed  with  the  new  wine  of  the  year. 

Tells  all  in  his  lusty  crowing! 

Joy  comes,  grief  goes,  we  know  not  how; 
Evei-ything  is  happy  now. 
Everything  is  upward  striving; 

"Couriers.     Messengers. 

"Chanticleer.  The  cock.  The  name  was  first  applied  to  the 
cock  in  a  famous  mediaeval  romance.  It  means  literally,  "clear 
singer." 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  311 

'Tis  as  easy  now  for  the  heart  to  be  true 
As  for  grass  to  be  green  or  skies  to  be  blue, — 

'Tis  the  natural  way  of  living: 
Who  knows  whither  the  clouds  have  fled? 

In  the  unscarred  heaven^^  they  leave  no  wake;^^ 
And  the  eyes  forget  the  tears  they  have  shed, 

The  heart  forgets  its  sorrow  and  ache; 
The  soul  partakes  the  season's  youth. 

And  the  sulphurous^^  rifts  of  passion  and  woe 
Lie  deep  'neath  a  silence  pure  and  smooth. 

Like  burnt-out  craters  healed  with  snow. 
What  wonder  if  Sir  Launfal  now 
Remembered  the  keeping  of  his  vow? 


PART  FIRST 

I 


'My  golden  spurs  now  bring  to  me. 
And  bring  to  me  my  richest  mail. 

For  to-morrow  I  go  over  land  and  sea 
In  search  of  the  Holy  Grail  ;2"' 

Shall  never  a  bed  for  me  be  spread, 

Nor  shall  a  pillow  be  under  my  head. 

Till  I  begin  my  vow  to  keep; 


"The  unscarred  heaven.     The  clear  sky,  unmarked  by  clouds. 

^^They  leave  no  wake.  They  leave  no  trace.  The  wake  is  the 
track  left  by  a  ship  passing  through  the  water. 

^^Sulphurous.     Burning. 

^The  Holy  Orail.  According  to  the  Legend,  the  Holy  Grail 
was  the  cup  from  which  Christ  drank  at  the  Last  Supper  and 
in  which  his  blood  was  caught  at  the  Crucifixion  by  St.  Joseph 


312  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Here  on  the  rushes  will  I  sleep, 

And  perchance  there  may  come  a  vision  true 

Ere  day  create  the  world  anew." 

Slowly  Sir  Launfal's  eyes  grew  dim, 
Slumber  fell  like  a  cloud  on  him. 

And  into  his  soul  the  vision  flew. 


II 

The  crows  flapped  over  by  twos  and  threes, 
In  the  pool  drowsed  the  cattle  up  to  their  knees. 
The  little  birds  sang  as  if  it  were 
The  one  day  of  summer  in  all  the  year. 
And  the  very  leaves  seemed  to  sing  on  the  trees : 
The  castle  alone  in  the  landscape  lay 
Like  an  outpost"  of  winter,  dull  and  gray; 
'Twas  the  proudest  hall  in  the  North  Countree," 
And  never  its  gates  might  opened  be, 
Save  to  lord  or  lady  of  high  degree; 
Summer  besieged  it  on  every  side. 
But  the  churlish  stone  her  assaults  defied; 


of  Arimathea.  About  this  vessel  was  built  a  j^reat  romance,  in 
which  many  knights  vowed  to  go  in  quest  of  tlie  Grail,  but  few 
attained  their  object,  as  absolute  purity  of  heart  was  the  requi- 
site. The  story  told  by  Lowell  in  this  poem  is  widely  different 
from  any  versions  of  the  old  legend,  but  keeps  the  quest  of  the 
Grail  as  a  type  of  the  search  for  the  highest  things  of  life. 

^Outpost.  A  station  beyond  the  limits  of  a  camp,  or  away 
from  the  main  body  of  an  army. 

^North  Countree.  The  northern  border  of  England.  Notice 
that  "Countree"  is  accented  on  the  second  syllable;  this  is  com- 
mon in  the  ballads  of  northern  England  and  southern  Scotland. 
Some  who  fancy  this  poem  relates  to  slavery  regard  the  "North 
Countree"  as  referring  to  the  North. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  313 

She  could  not  scale  the  chilly  wall. 

Though  round  it  for  leagues  her  pavilions^^  tall 

Stretched  left  and  right, 

Over  the  hills  and  out  of  sight; 

Green  and  broad  was  every  tent. 

And  out  of  each  a  murmur  went 
Till  the  breeze  fell  off  at  night. 


Ill 
The  drawbridge^*  dropped  with  a  surly  clang. 
And  through  the  dark  arch  a  charger  sprang. 
Bearing  Sir  Launfal,  the  maiden  knight,^^ 
In  his  gilded  mail,-^  that  flamed  so  bright 
It  seemed  the  dark  castle  had  gathered  all 
Those  shafts  the  fierce  sun  had  shot  over  its  wall 

In  his  siege  of  three  hundred  summers  long. 
And,  binding  them  all  in  one  blazing  sheaf. 

Had  cast  them  forth:  so,  young  and  strong, 
And  lightsome  as  a  locust-leaf. 
Sir  Launfal  flashed  forth  in  his  unscarred  mail. 
To  seek  in  all  climes  for  the  Holy  Grail. 


^Pavilions.  Tents  set  up  for  the  accommodation  of  knights 
when  a  tournament  was  in  progress.  Here  the  reference  is  to 
the  trees,  which  are  spoken  of  as  tents  later  in  the  stanza. 

'*Draivhridge.  Mediaeval  castles  were  surrounded  by  moats,, 
or  wide  trenches  filled  with  water.  At  the  entrance  to  a  castle, 
there  was  across  the  moat  a  bridge,  which  could  be  drawn  up 
against  the  door  of  the  castle,  thus  preventing  -the  entrance 
of  enemies. 

^''Maiden  knight.  This  term  means  a  knight  who  has  not  yet 
won  his  spurs  by  performing  some  great  deed  of  bravery. 

^Mail.     The  metal  armor  worn  by  a  knight. 


314  STUDIES  IN  READING 

IV 

It  was  morning  on  hill  and  stream  and  tree. 
And  morning  in  the  young  knight's  heart; 

Only  the  castle  moodily 

Rebuffed  the  gifts  of  the  sunshine  free, 
And  gloomed  by  itself  apart; 

The  season  brimmed  all  other  things  up 

Full  as  the  rain  fills  the  pitcher-plant's  cup. 


V 

As  Sir  Launfal  made  morn^^  through  the  dark- 
some gate. 

He  was  'ware  of  a  leper,^^  crouched  by  the  same. 
Who  begged  with  his  hand  and  moaned  as  he  sate; 

And  a  loathing  over  Sir  Launfal  came; 
The  sunshine  went  out  of  his  soul  with  a  thrill. 

The  flesh  'neath  his  armor  did  shrink  and  crawl. 
And  midway  its  leap^^  his  heart  stood  still 

Like  a  frozen  waterfall; 
For  this  man,  so  foul  and  bent  of  stature. 
Rasped  harshly  against  his  dainty  nature, 
And  seemed  the  one  blot  on  the  summer  morn, — 
So  he  tossed  him  a  piece  of  gold  in  scorn. 


"3/arfe  morn.  In  his  briglit  armor  and  his  youth,  Sir  Launfal 
stood  out,  against  the  darkness  of  the  castle,  as  an  image 
of  morning. 

^Leper.     One  afflicted  with  leprosy,  a  most  loathsome  disease. 

-^Midioay  its  leap.     In  the  midst  of  the  heart  beat. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  315 


VI 

The  leper  raised  not  the  gold  from  the  dust: 

"Better  to  me  the  poor  man's  crust, 

Better  the  blessing  of  the  poor, 

Though  I  turn  me  empty  from  his  door; 

That  is  no  true  alms  which  the  hand  can  hold; 

He  gives  only  the  worthless  gold 

Who  gives  from  a  sense  of  duty; 
But  he  who  gives  but  a  slender  mite. 
And  gives  to  that  which  is  out  of  sight, 

That  thread  of  the  all-sustaining  Beauty^^ 
Which  runs  through  all  and  doth  all  unite, — 
The  hand  cannot  clasp  the  whole  of  his  alms. 
The  heart  outstretches  its  eager  palms. 
For  a  god  goes  with  it  and  makes  it  store 
To  the  soul  that  was  starving  in  darkness  before. 


PART  SECOND 

PRELUDE 

Down  swept  the  chill  wind  from  the  mountain 
peak. 

From  the  snow  five  thousand  summers  old; 
On  open  wold^^  and  hilltop  bleak 

It  had  gathered  all  the  cold. 
And  whirled  it  like  sleet  on  the  wanderer's  cheek; 
It  carried  a  shiver  everywhere 
From  the  unleafed  boughs  and  pastures  bare; 


'^ All- sustaining  Beauty.     Beauty  brings  all  nature  into  unity. 
God  is  manifest  in  nature  by  means  of  its  beauty. 
*^Wold.     A  plain;   open  country. 


316  STUDIES  IN  READING 


The  little  brook  heard  it  and  built  a  roof 
'Neath  which  he  could  house  him,  winter-proof; 
All  night  by  the  white  stars'  frosty  gleams 
He  groined  his  arches^^  and  matched  his  beams  ;3^ 
Slender  and  clear  were  his  crystal  spars 
As  the  lashes  of  light  that  trim  the  stars : 
He  sculptured  every  summer  delight 
In  his  halls  and  chambers  out  of  sight; 
Sometimes  his  tinkling  waters  slipt 
Down  through  a  frost-leaved  forest-crypt,^* 
Long,  sparkling  aisles  of  steel-stemmed  trees 
Bending  to  counterfeit^^  a  breeze; 
Sometimes  the  roof  no  fretwork^^  knew 
But  silvery  mosses  that  downward  grew; 
Sometimes  it  was  carved  in  sharp  relief^'^ 
With  quaint  arabesques^®  of  ice-fern  leaf; 
Sometimes  it  was  simply  smooth  and  clear 


"Groined  his  arches.     Caused  his  arches  to  intersect. 

^Matched  his  beams.  Another  figure  taken  from  architecture. 
He  placed  in  their  appropriate  places  the  beams  used  in  his 
building, 

^Forest-crypt.  A  crypt  is  an  underground  vault.  A  forest- 
crypt  would  consist  of  trees,  the  branches  of  which  would  meet 
overhead. 

'^Counterfeit.     Produce  the  impression  of. 

"^Fretioork.     Carved  or  open  work  in  ornamental  design. 

''^Relief.  The  projection  of  carving  on  wood,  or  similar  work, 
from  the  plane  surface. 

'"^Arabesques.  Designs  fancifully  arranged,  representing  plants, 
animals,  etc.  In  this  style  of  work,  the  objects  are  put  together 
without  reference  to  the  way  in  which  they  actually  appear  in 
nature;  animals,  for  instance,  being  represented  as  growing  out 
of  plants. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  317 

For  the  gladness  of  heaven  to  shine  through,  and 

here 
He  had  caught  the  nodding  bulrush-tops 
And  hung  them  thickly  with  diamond  drops. 
That  crystalled  the  beams  of  moon  and  sun. 
And  made  a  star  of  every  one: 
No  mortal  builder's  most  rare  device^^ 
Could  match  this  winter-palace  of  ice; 
'Twas  as  if  every  image  that  mirrored  lay 
In  his  depths  serene  through  the  summer  dajs 
Each  fleeting  shadow  of  earth  and  sky. 

Lest  the  happy  model  should  be  lost. 
Had  been  mimicked  in  fairy  masonry 

By  the  elfin  builders  of  the  frost. 
Within  the  hall  are  song  and  laughter. 

The  cheeks  of  Christmas  grow  red  and  jolly. 
And  sprouting  is  every  corbeP^  and  rafter 

With  lightsome  green  of  ivy  and  holly; 
Through  the  deep  gulf  of  the  chimney  wide 
Wallows  the  Yule-log's*^  roaring  tide; 
The  broad  flame-pennons  droop  and  flap 

And  belly*^  and  tug  as  a  flag  in  the  wind; 


^"Catherine  II,  Empress  of  Russia,  built  a  magnificent  ice- 
palace  just  to  satisfy  a  freakish  whim.  Cowper  has  given  a 
poetical  description  of  it  in  The  Task,  Book  V,  lines  131-17G, 

*^Corhel.  A  stone  bracket  used  in  Gothic  architecture  for 
supporting  purposes. 

*^Yule-log.  The  great  block  of  wood  that  formed  the  basis 
of  the  Christmas  fire.  The  use  of  the  Yule-log  is  an  old  pagan 
custom,  which  originated  in  festal  honors  paid  to  the  god  Thor. 

*'Belly.     Bulge  out. 


318  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Like  a  locust  shrills  the  imprisoned  sap. 
Hunted  to  death  in  its  galleries  blind; 

And  swift  little  troops  of  silent  sparks, 

Now  pausing,  now  scattering  away  as  in  fear 

Go  threading  the  soot-forest's  tangled  darks 
Like  herds  of  startled  deer. 

But  the  wind  without  was  eager  and  sharp. 

Of  Sir  Launfal's  gray  hair  it  makes  a  harp. 
And  rattles  and  wrings 
The  icy  strings, 
Singing,  in  dreary  monotone, 
A  Christmas  carol  of  its  own. 
Whose  burden  still,  as  he  might  guess. 
Was  "Shelterless,  shelterless,  shelterless!" 

The  voice  of  the  seneschal*^  flared  like  a  torch 
As  he  shouted  the  wanderer  away  from  the  porch. 
And  he  sat  in  the  gateway  and  saw  all  night 
The  great  hall-fire,  so  cheery  and  bold, 
Through  the  window-slits  of  the  castle  old. 
Built  out  its  piers  of  ruddy  light 
Against  the  drift  of  the  cold. 


PART  SECOND 

I 

There  was  never  a  leaf  on  bush  or  tree. 
The  bare  boughs  rattled  shuddcringly; 
The  river  was  dumb  and  could  not  speak. 


*'8eneschol.      Pronounced    sen'-es-sluil.      A    superintendent    of 
feasts  and  other  domestic  affairs  in  a  mediaeval  castle. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  319 

For  the  weaver  Winter  its  shroud**  had  spun; 
A  single  crow  on  the  treetop  bleak 

From  his  shining  feathers  shed  off  the  cold  sun ; 
Again  it  was  morning,  but  shrunk  and  cold. 
As  if  her  veins  were  sapless  and  old. 
And  she*^  rose  up  decrepitly*^ 
For  a  last  dim  look  at  earth  and  sea. 


II 

Sir  Launfal  turned  from  his  own  hard  gate, 

For  another  heir  in  his  earldom*'^  sate;*^ 

An  old,  bent  man,  worn  out  and  frail. 

He  came  back  from  seeking  the  Holy  Grail; 

Little  he  recked  of*^  his  earldom's  loss. 

No  more  on  his  surcoat^^  was  blazoned^^  the  cross. 

But  deep  in  his  soul  the  sign  he  wore. 

The  badge  of  the  suffering  and  the  poor. 


**8hroud.  The  sheet  formerly  used  for  wrapping  a  dead  body. 
The  reference  here  is  to  the  ice  on  the  river. 

*'^8he.     The  antecedent  is  "morning." 

*^Decrepitly.     Weakened  by  age. 

"Earldom.  One's  seat  as  an  earl,  including,  of  course,  title 
and  possessions.     "Earl"  is  a  title  of  nobility. 

*'Sate.     An  old  form  of  "sat." 

^''Recked  of.     Cared  for. 

'^Surcoat.     Outer  coat. 

'^^Blazoned.  Displayed  as  a  heraldic  device.  In  the  Middle 
Ages  knights  wore  numerous  symbolic  devices,  the  system  being 
known  as  heraldry. 


320  STUDIES  IN  READING 

III 

Sir  LaunfaFs  raiment  thin  and  spare 

Was  idle  mail  'gainst  the  barbed'^  air. 

For  it  was  just  at  the  Christmas  time; 

So  he  mused,  as  he  sat,  of  a  sunnier  clime. 

And  sought  for  a  shelter  from  cold  and  snow 

In  the  light  and  warmth  of  long  ago; 

He  sees  the  snake-like  caravan^^  crawl 

O'er  the  edge  of  the  desert,  black  antl  small. 

Then  nearer  and  nearer,  till,  one  by  one, 

He  can  count  the  camels  in  the  sun. 

As  over  the  red-hot  sands  they  pass 

To  where,  in  its  slender  necklace  of  grass. 

The  little  spring  laughed  and  leapt  in  the  shade. 

And  with  its  own  self  like  an  infant  played. 

And  waved  its  signal  of  palms.^* 


IV 

"For  Christ's  sweet  sake,  I  beg  an  alms;" 
The  happy  camels  may  reach  the  spring,* 
But  Sir  Launfal  sees  only  the  grewsome''  thing. 
The  leper,  lank  as  the  rain-blanched  bone. 


^'Barbed.  Sharp,  as  if  having  points.  The  word  is  most 
common  in  the  expression,  "barbed  wire." 

"Caravan.  A  procession,  usually  of  camels  laden  with  various 
kinds  of  burden. 

'^Signal  of  palms.  In  the  desert  there  are  little  spots,  called 
oases,  whore  there  are  springs  of  water  surrounded  by  grass  and 
palm  trees.  The  palm  trees,  tall  and  dark,  can  be  seen  a  long 
distance,  and  form  a  signal,  or  sign,  of  the  nearness  of  water. 

^Orewsome.     Horrible,  causing  one  to  shudder. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  321 

That  cowered  beside  him,  a  thing  as  lone 
And  white  as  the  ice-isles  of  Northern  seas 
In  the  desolate  horror  of  his  disease. 


V 

And  Sir  Launfal  said,  "I  behold  in  thee 

An  image  of  Him  who  died  on  the  tree; 

Thou  also  hast  had  thy  crown  of  thorns, 

Thou  also  hast  had  the  world's  buff  ets^^  and  scorns. 

And  to  thy  life  were  not  denied 

The  wounds  in  the  hands  and  feet  and  side: 

Mild  Mary's  Son,"  acknowledge  me; 

Behold,  through  him,  I  give  to  thee !" 


VI 
Then  the  soul  of  the  leper  stood  up  in  his  eyes 

And  looked  at  Sir  Launfal,  and  straightway  he 
Remembered  in  what  a  haughtier  guise 

He  had  flung  an  alms  to  leprosie, 
When  he  girt^^  his  young  life  up  in  gilded  mail 
And  set  forth  in  search  of  the  Holy  Grail. 
The  heart  within  him  was  ashes  and  dust; 
He  parted  in  twain  his  single  crust, 
He  broke  the  ice  on  the  streamlet's  brink. 
And  gave  the  leper  to  eat  and  drink. 


'^Buffets.     Blows. 

"Mild  Mary's  Son.  Jesus  the  Christ,  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary.  "Mild"  is  an  adjective  that  has  been  frequently  applied 
to  the  Mother  of  Christ, 

'^''Girt.      Girded. 


322  STUDIES  IN  BEADING 

'Twas  a  mouldy  crust  of  coarse  brown  bread, 
Twas  water  out  of  a  wooden  bowl, — 

Yet  with  fine  wheaten  bread  was  the  leper  fed, 
And  'twas  red  wine  he  drank  with  his  thirsty 
soul. 


VII 
As  Sir  Launfal  mused  with  a  downcast  face, 
A  light  shone  round  about  the  place; 
The  leper  no  longer  crouched  at  his  side, 
But  stood  before  him  glorified. 
Shining  and  tall  and  fair  and  straight 
As  the  pillar  that  stood  by  the  Beautiful  Gate,''® — 
Himself  the  Gate  whereby  men  can 
Enter  the  temple  of  God  in  Man.«« 


VIII 
His  words  were  shed  softer  than  leaves  from  the 

pine. 
And  they  fell  on  Sir  Launfal  as  snows  on  the 

brine,"^ 
That  mingle  their  softness  and  quiet  in  one 


"T/ie  Beautiful  Gate.  One  of  the  gates  of  the  Temple  at 
Jerusalem  bore  the  name  "Beautiful."  It  was  at  this  gate  that 
St.  Peter  healed  the  lame  man,  as  recorded  in  Acts  iii,  1-11. 
In  St.  John  x.  7,  Christ  refers  to  himself  as  the  Door. 

'^The  temple  of  God  in  Man.  Tlie  temple  of  Christ,  who, 
though  God,  was  made  man  in  his  earthly  birth  of  the  Virgin 
Mary. 

"r/ie  hrine.  The  ocean — so-called  because  sea  water  is  ex- 
ceedingly  salty. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  323 

With  the  shaggy  unrest  they  float  down  upon; 

And  the  voice  that  was  softer  than  silence  said, 

"Lo,  it  is  I,  be  not  afraid! 

In  many  climes,  without  avail, 

Thou  hast  spent  thy  life  for  the  Holy  Grail; 

Behold,  it  is  here, — this  cup  which  thou 

Didst  fill  at  the  streamlet  for  me  but  now; 

This  crust  is  my  body  broken  for  thee. 

This  water  His  blood  that  died  on  the  tree; 

The  Holy  Supper^^  is  kept,  indeed. 

In  whatso  we  share  with  another's  need; 

Not  what  we  give,  but  what  we  share. 

For  the  gift  without  the  giver  is  bare; 

Who  gives  himself  with  his  alms  feeds  three, 

Himself,  his  hungering  neighbor,  and  me." 


IX 

Sir  Launfal  woke  as  from  a  swound:®'' 
"The  Grail  in  my  castle  here  is  found! 
Hang  my  idle  armor  up  on  the  wall, 
Let  it  be  the  spider's  banquet-hall; 
He  must  be  fenced  with  stronger  maiP* 
Who  would  seek  and  find  the  Holy  Grail.' 


^The  Holy  Supper.     The  Lord's  Supper,  or  Holy  Communion. 
'^Swound.     Swoon;  a  spell  of  unconsciousness. 
^Stronger  mwil.     The  armor  to  be  worn  by  the  Christian,  as 
described  in  Ephesians  vi.  11-17. 


324  STUDIES  IN  READING 

X 

The  castle  gate  stands  open  now. 

And  the  wanderer  is  welcome  to  the  hall 
As  the  hangbird^^  is  to  the  elm- tree  bough; 

No  longer  scowl  the  turrets^^  tall, 
The  Summer's  long  siege  at  last  is  o'er; 
When  the  first  poor  outcast  went  in  at  the  door. 
She  entered  with  him  in  disguise. 
And  mastered  the  fortress  by  surprise; 
There  is  no  spot  she  loves  so  well  on  ground. 
She  lingers  and  smiles  there  the  whole  year  round; 
The  meanest  serf"  on  Sir  LaunfaFs  land 
Has  halP^  and  bower^^  at  his  command; 
And  there's  no  poor  man  in  the  North  Countree 
But  is  lord  of  the  earldom  as  much  as  he. 

— James  Russell  Lowell. 
EXERCISES 

PRELUDE  TO   PART  FIRST 

Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  musing  organist,  list,  lay, 
fervor,  theme,  faint  auroral  flushes,  wavering  vista,  cringe, 
Sinais,  fallen  and  traitor  lives,  druid  woml,  benedicite, 
shrives,  Devil's  booth,  dross,  cap  and  bells,  bubbles,  a  whole 
soul's  tasking,  climbs  to  a  Soul,  chalice,  chanticleer,  un- 
scarred  heaven,  sulphurous  rifts,  burnt-out  craters. 
1.  What  is  suggested  by  the  word  "Vision"? 


^Eangbird.  The  Baltimore  oriole,  which,  like  some  other 
birds,  builds  a  nest  that  hangs  from  the  bough  of  a  tree. 

^''Turrets.     Small  towers. 

*^(S'erf.  In  the  Middle  Ages,  a  member  of  the  lowest  class  of 
servants,  who  were  sold  with  the  land.  The  meanest  serf  is  the 
one  lowest  in  rank. 

^Hall.     The  great  public  room  of  a  mediaeval  castle. 

**Dower.     A  chamber. 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  325 

2.  Tell  the  story  of  the  Holy  Grail. 

3.  What  is  a  prelude? 

4.  What,   in   the    second    stanza,   has    Lowell    added   to    Words- 

worth's "Heaven  lies  about  us  in  our  infancy"? 

5.  Explain    "We  Sinais  climb  and  know  it  not." 

C.  What  five  influences  plead  with  each  individual  to  be  his  best  ? 

7.  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  general  statement  in  line  21? 

8.  According  to  Lowell,  how  many  things  have  to  be  paid  for? 

9.  Explain    "For  a  cap  and  bells  our  lives  we  pay." 

10.  What,  then,  is  the  meaning  of  "  'Tis  heaven  alone  that  is  given 

away"  ? 

11.  Memorize  lines  33-42  and  80-85. 

12.  What  central  thought  connects  the  stanzas  of  the  prelude? 

13.  Why  does  Sir  Launfal  now  remember  the  keeping  of  his  vow? 

14.  What  is  his  vow? 

PART    FIRST 

Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  richest  mail,  rushes,  high  de- 
gree, besieged,  churlish  stone,  pavilions  tall,  tent,  draw- 
bridge, surly  clang,  charger,  maiden  knight,  unscarred  mail, 
rebuffed,  loathing,  alms,  all-sustaining  Beauty. 

15.  What  now  makes  us  feel  that  he  is  going  to  keep  his  vow  ? 

16.  What  is  the  vision  that  flew  into  his  soul  as  he  slept  on  the 

rushes  ? 

17.  Describe    the    landscape    around    "the    proudest   hall    in    the 

North  Countree." 

18.  Select  the  passages  which  tell  us  the  character  of  the  young 

knight  as  he  sets  out. 

19.  Explain  "the  maiden  knight." 

20.  Explain  "made  morn  through  the  darksome  gate." 

21.  Just  what  tells  you  the  condition  of  the  leper? 

22.  How  did  the  appearance  of  the  leper  affect  Sir  Launfal? 

23.  What  is  shown  of  Sir  Launfal  in  that  "he  tossed  him  a  piece 

of  gold  in  scorn"? 

24.  Why  did  not  the  leper  raise  the  gold  from  the  dust? 

25.  Give  in  your  own  words  the  substance  of  the  leper's  thought, 

lines  160-173. 


326  STUDIES  IN  READING 

PRELUDE   TO   PART  SECOND 

Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  wold,  groined,  matched  his 
beams,  crystal  spars,  frost-leaved  forest-crypt,  steel- 
stemmed,  counterfeit,  fretwork,  arabesques,  crystalled  the 
beams,  fairy  masonry,  elfin  builders,  corbel.  Yule-log,  ilame- 
pennons,  belly  and  tug,  soot-forest's  tangled  darks,  sene- 
schal; piers  of  ruddy  light. 

26.  Why  does  Lowell  choose  a  winter  scene  for  the  Prelude  to 

Part  Second? 

27.  What  time  has  elapsed  between  the  two  parts  of  the  poem  ? 

28.  Contrast  winter  here  with  June  in  the  Prelude  to  Part  First. 

29.  By  what  sharp  contrasts  is  the  desolate  condition  of  the  wan- 

derer shown? 

30.  Contrast  the  Sir  Launfal  at  starting  with  the   Sir  Launfal 

pictured  to  us  in  this  Prelude. 

31.  What  "Christmas  Carol"  did  the  icy  wind  sing  him? 


PART    SECOND 

Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  rattled  shudderingly,  sapless, 
decrepitly,  earldom,  recked,  surcoat,  blazoned  the  cross, 
sign,  idle  mail,  snake-like  caravan,  slender  necklace  of 
grass,  waved  its  signal  of  palms,  grewsome,  rain-blanched 
bone,  tree,  buffets,  ashes  and  dust.  Beautiful  Gate,  shaggy 
unrest.  Holy  Supper. 

32.  Describe  Sir  Launfal  as  pictured  to  us  in  stanza  2. 

33.  What  interrupted  Sir  Launfal's  musings? 

34.  What  shows  to  us  the  desolate  horror  of  tlie  leper's  disease? 

35.  What  change  has  come  over  Sir  Launfal? 

36.  What  causes  Sir  Launfal  to  see  in  the  leper  "an  image  of 

Him  who  died  on  the  tree"  ? 

37.  How  did  Sir  Launfal  keep  the  Holy  Supper? 

38.  Explain  stanza  7. 

39.  What  did  Sir  Launfal  learn  from  his  vision? 

40.  What  proof  that  he  learned  the  lesson  ? 

4L  How  may  each  one  learn  the  same  lesson  without  going  on  a 
pilgrimage? 


THE  VISION  OF   SIR  LAUNFAL  327 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Lowell:  The   Search.  Tlie.  Present   Crisis.   Stanzas  on   Freedom. 

Yussouf. 
Whittier:  The   Brother  of  Mercy.  The  Eternal  Goodness.   La  us 

Deo. 
Texnysox:   The  Holy  Grail.  Sir  Galahad. 
Hunt:  Abou  Ben  Adhem. 

Longfellow:   Santa  Filomena.  The  Legend  Beautiful.  Excelsior. 
BuNYAN:   Pilgrim's  Progress. 
Stevenson  :  The  House  Beautiful. 
Piatt:  The  Gift  of  Empty  Hands. 
Ian  ;Maclaren  :  Beside  the  Bonnie  Brier  Bush. 
Matthew  xxv,  34-46. 

Luke  x,  25-37 :   Story  of  the  Good  Samaritan. 
Mason:  The  Voyage. 
Wordsworth  :   The  Wishing-Gate, 
Brooks:   The  Beautv  of  a  Life  of  Service. 


MY  SYMPHONY 

To  live  content  with  small  means. 

To  seek  elegance  rather  than  luxury,  and  refine- 
ment rather  than  fashion. 

To  be  worthy,  not  respectable,  and  wealthy,  not 
rich. 

To  study  hard,  think  quietly,  talk  gently,   act 
frankly. 

To  listen  to  stars  and  birds,  to  babes  and  sages, 
with  open  heart. 

To  bear  all  cheerfully,   do   all  bravely,   await 
occasions,  hurry  never. 

In  a  word,  to  let  the  spiritual,  unbidden  and 
unconscious,  grow  up  through  the  common. 

This  is  to  be  my  symphony. 

— William  Ellery  Channing. 


THANATOPSIS 

"  ^HANATOPSIS  alone  would  establish  a 
claim  to  genius,"  said  the  Scottish  author, 
Sir  Christopher  North,  when  he  read  this  won- 
derful poem.  Young  William  Cullen  Bryant 
had  been  encouraged  by  his  father  to  read  and  to 
write  poetry.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  the  young 
man  entered  the  sophomore  class  of  Williams 
College  with  a  reputation  for  writing  poetry 
"that  was  printed."  His  money  gave  out,  how- 
ever, and  his  college  course  was  cut  short. 
Greatly  disappointed,  he  returned  to  his  home 
and  began  to  study  law.  At  this  time,  while  not 
yet  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  wrote  the  first  draft 
of  TJianatopsis.  Six  years  later,  his  father  came 
upon  the  manuscript  by  mere  chance  and  at  once 
recognized  the  merit  of  the  poem.  Without  a 
word,  the  proud  father  hastened  to  Boston  and 
placed  the  poem  in  the  hands  of  the  editor  of  the 
North  American  Review,  The  story  is  that  the 
editor  at  once  left  his  work  and  hurried  to  Har- 
vard College  to  show  his  fellow  editors  what  a 
rare  "find"  he  had  made.  One  of  the  editors,  the 
distinguished  Richard  Henry  Dana,  is  said  to 
have  declared  "that  there  was  some  fraud  in  the 

328 


THANATOPSIS  329 


matter,  for  no  one  in  America  could  write  such 
verse." 

The  poem  was  at  once  hailed  as  a  masterpiece 
and  welcomed  as  America's  first  great  poem. 
Professor  Julian  Hawthorne  has  aptly  said  of 
it,  "Its  comprehensive  view  of  death,  implies  an 
interpretation  of  life;  what  we  had  deemed  the 
chief  of  terrors  is  transformed  into  the  majestic 
and  orderly  fulfilment  of  the  purposes  of  an  in- 
finite and  benign  God,  who  disposes  all  things 
for  our  good." 


THANATOPSIS 

To  him  who,  in  the  love  of  Nature,  holds 
Communion  with  her  visible  forms,  she  speaks 
A  various  language;  for  his  gayer  hours 
She  has  a  voice  of  gladness,  and  a  smile 
And  eloquence  of  beauty;  and  she  glides 
Into  his  darker  musings  with  a  mild 
And  healing  sympathy,  that  steals  away 
Their  sharpness,  ere  he  is  aware. 

When  thoughts 
Of  the  last  bitter  hour  come  like  a  blight 
Over  thy  spirit,  and  sad  images 
Of  the  stern  agony,  and  shroud,  and  pall. 
And  breathless  darkness,  and  the  narrow  house, 
Make  thee  to  shudder,  and  grow  sick  at  heart. 
Go  forth  under  the  open  sky,  and  list 
To  Nature's  teachings,  while  from  all  around^ 


330  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Earth  and  her  waters,  and  the  depths  of  air — 

Comes  a  still  voice: — Yet  a  few  days,  and  thee 

The  all-beholding  sun  shall  see  no  more 

In  all  his  course;  nor  yet  in  the  cold  ground. 

Where  thy  pale  form  was  laid,  with  many  tears» 

Nor  in  the  embrace  of  ocean,  shall  exist 

Thy  image.    Earth,  that  nourished  thee,  shall  claim 

Thy  growth,  to  be  resolved  to  earth  again; 

And,  lost  each  human  trace,  surrendering  up 

Thine  individual  being,  shalt  thou  go 

To  mix  forever  with  the  elements; 

To  be  a  brother  to  the  insensible  rock. 

And  to  the  sluggish  clod,  which  the  rude  swain 

Turns  with  his  share,  and  treads  upon.    The  oak 

Shall  send  his  roots  abroad,  and  pierce  thy  mould. 

Yet  not  to  thine  eternal  resting-place 
Shalt  thou  retire  alone, — nor  couldst  thou  wish 
Couch  more  magnificent.    Thou  shalt  lie  down 
With  patriarchs  of  the  infant  world, — with  kings. 
The  powerful  of  the  earth, — the  wise,  the  good. 
Fair  forms,  and  hoary  seers  of  ages  past. 
All  in  one  mighty  sepulchre.    The  hills. 
Rock-ribbed,  and  ancient  as  the  sun;  the  vales 
Stretching  in  pensive  quietness  between; 
The  venerable  woods;  rivers  that  move 
In  majesty,  and  the  complaining  brooks. 
That    make    the    meadows    green;    and,    poured 

round  all. 
Old  ocean's  gray  and  melancholy  waste, — 
Are  but  the  solemn  decorations  all 
Of  the  great  tomb  of  man!    The  golden  sun, 


THANATOPSIS  331 


The  planets,  all  the  infinite  host  of  heaven, 
Are  shining  on  the  sad  abodes  of  death. 
Through  the  still  lapse  of  ages. 

All  that  tread 
The  globe  are  but  a  handful  to  the  tribes 
That  slumber  in  its  bosom.    Take  the  wings 
Of  morning,  traverse  Barca's  desert  sands. 
Or  lose  thyself  in  the  continuous  woods 
Where  rolls  the  Oregon,  and  hears  no  sound 
Save  his  own  dashings, — yet  the  dead  are  there! 
And  millions  in  those  solitudes,  since  first 
The  flight  of  years  began,  have  laid  them  down 
In  their  last  sleep, — the  dead  reign  there  alone! 
So  shalt  thou  rest;  and  what  if  thou  withdraw 
In  silence  from  the  living,  and  no  friend 
Take  note  of  thy  departure?    All  that  breathe 
Will  share  thy  destiny.    The  gay  will  laugh 
When  thou  art  gone,  the  solemn  brood  of  care 
Plod  on,  and  each  one,  as  before,  will  chase 
His  favorite  phantom;  yet  all  these  shall  leave 
Their  mirth   and   their  employments,   and   shall 

come 
And  make  their  bed  with  thee.    As  the  long  train 
Of  ages  glide  away,  the  sons  of  men — 
The  youth  in  life's  green  spring,  and  he  who  goes 
In  the  full  strength  of  years,  matron  and  maid. 
And  the  sweet  babe,  and  the  gray-headed  man — 
Shall,  one  by  one,  be  gathered  to  thy  side 
By  those  who  in  their  turn  shall  follow  them. 

So  live,  that  when  thy  summons  comes  to  join 
The  innumerable  caravan  that  moves 


332  STUDIES  IN  READING 

To  the  pale  realms  of  shade,  where  each  shall  take 
His  chamber  in  the  silent  halls  of  death, 
Thou  go  not,  like  the  quarry-slave  at  night, 
Scourged    to    his    dungeon,    but,    sustained    and 

soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  thy  grave 
Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams. 

— William  Cullen  Bryant. 

NOTES 

1.  Thanatopsis.     Greek,  thanatos,  death,  and  opsis,  a  view. 

2.  William    Cullen   Bryant    was    born    in   Cummington,    Massa- 

chusetts, in  1794  and  died  in  1878.  Tliis  poem  was  written 
in  1811  and  published  in  1817.  Look  up  more  fully  the 
facts  of  Bryant's  life. 

3.  Barcan  desert.     Barca  is  a  desert  province  in  northern  Africa 

east  of  Tripoli. 

4.  The  Oregon.     The  Oregon  is  another  name  for  the  Columbia 

Biver. 

5.  Look  up  the  meanings  of  the  following  words  and  expressions : 

communion,  visible  forms,  eloquence,  darker  musings,  blight, 
sad  images,  stern  agony,  pall,  insensible  rock,  rude  swain, 
sepulchre,  solemn  decorations,  abode,  phantom,  innumerable 
caravan,  quarry-slave. 

EXERCISES 

1.  Tell  the  circumstances  under  which  Bryant  wrote  this  poem. 

2.  Why  should  so  young  a  man  be  speculating  so  seriously  about 

death  ? 

3.  Explain  "holds  communion  with  her  visible  forms," 

4.  In  what  ways  does  nature  speak  a  various  language? 

5.  What  consolation   does  communion  with  nature  give  "When 

thoughts  of  the  last  bitter  hour  come  like  a  blight  over  thy 
spirit"  ? 

6.  How  much  of  the  poem  is  the  word  of  the  "still  voice"? 


THANATOPSIS  333 


7.  How  can  one  really  learn  all  this  from  nature? 

8.  What  is  the  first  point  revealed  by  nature? 

9.  What  is  meant  by  the  statement  that  "thy  image"  shall  not 

"exist"? 

10.  In  what  sense  shall  each  one  become  "a  brother  to  the  insen- 

sible rock"? 

11.  In  what  sense  is  no  one  "alone"  in  his  eternal  resting-place? 

12.  Explain  "nor  couldst  thou  wish  couch  more  magnificent.'* 

13.  Explain  "All  in  one  mighty  sepulchre." 

14.  What  are  the  "solemn  decorations"  of  the  great  tomb  oi  man" 

15.  Explain  fully,  "All  that  tread  the  globe  are  but  a  handful  to 

the  tribes  that  slumber  in  its  bosom." 
10.  What  destiny  is  shared  by  all  that  breathe? 

17.  Explain    "Each  one   .    .    .   will  chase  his  favorite  phantom,*' 

18.  How,  then,  should  each  one  live? 

19.  Memorize  the  passage  beginning  "So  live     .     .     .     ." 

20.  What  general  view  of  death  is  given  in  the  entire  poem  ? 

ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Omae  Khayyam:  Rubaiyat. 

Tennyson  :   Crossing  the  Bar. 

Browning:  Prospice. 

Dickens:  Death  of  Little  Nell. 

Greene:  The  Baron's  Last  Banquet. 

Halleck:  Marco  Bozzaris. 

PoE:  The  Raven.  Ulalume. 

Pope:  The  Dying  Christian  to  His  Soul. 

Emerson  :    Terminus. 

Stevenson:  Requiem. 

Phoebe  Cary  :  Nearer  Home. 

Edwin  Arnold:   The  Secret  of  Death. 

Longfellow:  Victor     and     Vanquished.     The     Reaper     and     the 

Flowers. 
VVoBDSWOBTH:   Intimations  on  Immortalitv. 


The  simple  duty  that  awaits  thy  hand 
Is  God's  voice  uttering  a  divine  command. 

— Minot  J.  Savage. 


RIP  VAN  WINKLE 

npHE  following  tale  was  found  among  the 
papers  of  the  late  Diedrich  Knickerbocker, 
an  old  gentleman  of  New  York,  who  was  very 
curious  in  the  Dutch  History  of  the  province, 
and  the  manners  of  the  descendants  from  its 
primitive  settlers.  His  historical  researches, 
however,  did  not  lie  so  much  among  books  as 
among  men;  for  the  former  are  lamentably 
scanty  on  his  favorite  topics;  whereas  he  found 
the  old  burghers,  and  still  more,  their  wives,  rich 
in  that  legendary  lore,  so  invaluable  to  true  his- 
tory. Whenever,  therefore,  he  happened  upon  a 
genuine  Dutch  family,  snugly  shut  up  in  its  low- 
roofed  farmhouse,  under  a  spreading  sycamore, 
he  looked  upon  it  as  a  little  clasped  volume  of 
black-letter,  and  studied  it  with  the  zeal  of  a 
bookworm. 

The  result  of  all  these  researches  was  a  history 
of  the  province,  during  the  reign  of  the  Dutch 
governors,  which  he  published  some  years  since. 
There  have  been  various  opinions  as  to  the  liter- 
ary character  of  his  work,  and,  to  tell  the  truth, 
it  is  not  a  whit  better  than  it  should  be.    Its  chief 

334 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  335 

merit  is  its  scrupulous  accuracy,  which,  indeed, 
was  a  httle  questioned,  on  its  first  appearance, 
but  has  since  been  completely  established;  and 
it  is  now  admitted  into  all  historical  collections, 
as  a  book  of  unquestionable  authority. 

The  old  gentleman  died  shortly  after  the  pub- 
lication of  his  work,  and  now  that  he  is  dead  and 
gone,  it  cannot  do  much  harm  to  his  memory  to 
say,  that  his  time  might  have  been  much  better 
employed  in  weightier  labors.  He,  however,  was 
apt  to  ride  his  hobby  his  own  way;  and  though 
it  did  now  and  then  kick  up  the  dust  a  little  in 
the  eyes  of  his  neighbors,  and  grieve  the  spirit 
of  some  friends  for  whom  he  felt  the  truest  def- 
erence and  affection,  yet  his  errors  and  follies 
are  remembered  "more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger," 
and  it  begins  to  be  suspected,  that  he  never  in- 
tended to  injure  or  offend.  But  however  his 
memory  may  be  appreciated  by  critics,  it  is  still 
held  dear  among  many  folk,  whose  good  opinion 
is  well  worth  having;  particularly  by  certain  bis- 
cuit-bakers, who  have  gone  so  far  as  to  imprint 
his  likeness  on  their  new-year  cakes,  and  have 
thus  given  him  a  chance  for  immortality,  almost 
equal  to  being  stamped  on  a  Waterloo  medal,  or 
a  Queen  Anne's  farthing.— On>ma/  Introduc- 
tion hy  the  Author. 


Joe  Jefferson  as  Rip  Van  Winkle 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  337 


RIP  VAN  WINKLE 


A  Posthumous^  Writing  of  Diedrich  Knicker- 
bocker^ 


By  Woden,  God  of  Saxons, 

From  whence  comes  Wensday,  that  is  Wodensday, 

Truth  is  a  thing  that  ever  I  will  keep 

Unto  thylke^  day  in  which  I  creep  into 

My  sepulchre. — Cartwright. 

Whoever  has  made  a  voyage  up  the  Hudson,* 
must  remember  the  Kaatskill  Mountains.^  They 
are  a  dismembered  branch  of  the  great  Appala- 
chian family,^  and  are  seen  avv^ay  to  the  v^est  of  the 
river,  sweHing  up  to  a  noble  height,  and  lording 
it  over  the  surrounding  country.  Every  change 
of  season,  every  change  of  weather,  indeed  every 
hour  of  the  day,  produces  some  change  in  the 
magical  hues  and  shapes  of  these  mountains;  and 


^Posthumous.     Published  after  the  author's  death. 

'Diedrich  Knickerbocker.  Irving  told  the  story  that  Rip 
Van  Winkle  and  Knickerbocker's  History  of  New  York,  both  of 
which  he  himself  wrote,  were  the  work  of  Diedrich  Knickerbocker, 
the  survivor  of  an  old  Dutch  family  in  New  York. 

^Thylke.  That  same.  After  reading  the  story,  the  student  will 
see  the  humor  of  using  for  its  keynote  this  verse  about  truth. 

^Hudson.     Look  up  this  river  on  a  map  of  New  York. 

'^Kaatskill  Mountains.  The  name  is  now  commonly  written 
"Catskill."     Look  up  these  mountains  on  a  map  of  New  York. 

^Appalachian  family.  A  great  range  of  mountains,  the  loca- 
tion of  which  should  be  observed  on  a  map  of  New  York  and 
neighboring  states. 


338  STUDIES  IN  READING 

they  are  regarded  by  all  the  good  wives,  far  and 
near,  as  perfect  barometers.  When  the  weather 
is  fair  and  settled,  they  are  clothed  in  blue  and 
purple,  and  print  their  bold  outlines  on  the  clear 
evening  sky;  but  sometimes,  when  the  rest  of  the 
landscape  is  cloudless,  they  will  gather  a  hood  of 
gray  vapors  about  their  summits,  which,  in  the 
last  rays  of  the  setting  sun,  will  glow  and  light  up 
like  a  crown  of  glory. 

At  the  foot  of  these  fairy  mountains,  the  voyager 
may  have  descried  the  light  smoke  curling  up 
from  a  village,  whose  shingle  roofs  gleam  among 
the  trees,  just  where  the  blue  tints  of  the  upland 
melt  away  into  the  fresh  green  of  the  nearer  land- 
scape. It  is  a  little  village  of  great  antiquity,  hav- 
ing been  founded  by  some  of  the  Dutch  colonists,^ 
in  the  early  times  of  the  province,  just  about  the 
beginning  of  the  government  of  the  good  Peter 
Stuyvesant^  (may  he  rest  in  peace!),  and  there 
were  some  of  the  houses  of  the  original  settlers 
standing  within  a  few  years,  built  of  small  yellow 
bricks  brought  from  Holland,  having  latticed  win- 
dows and  gabled  fronts,  surmounted  with  weather- 
cocks. 

In  that  same  village,  and  in  one  of  these  very 


^Dutcti,  colonists.  What  is  now  New  York  was  first  settled  by 
Hollanders,  who  called  it  New  Netherlands.  It  was  surrendered 
to  the  British  in  1004,  and  at  that  time  was  pivon  its  present 
name. 

*Peter  Stuyvesant.  The  last  of  the  Dutch  governors  of  New 
Netherlands.     Lived  from  1602  to  1082. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  339 

houses  (which,  to  tell  the  precise  truth,  was  sadly 
time-worn  and  weather-beaten),  there  lived  many 
years  since,  while  the  country  was  yet  a  province 
of  Great  Britain,  a  simple,  good-natured  fellow, 
of  the  name  of  Rip  Van  Winkle.  He  was  a  de- 
scendant of  the  Van  Winkles  who  figured  so  gal- 
lantly in  the  chivalrous  days  of  Peter  Stuyvesant, 
and  accompanied  him  to  the  siege  of  Fort  Chris- 
tina.^ He  inherited,  however,  but  little  of  the  mar- 
tial character  of  his  ancestors. 

I  have  observed  that  he  was  a  simple,  good- 
natured  man;  he  was,  moreover,  a  kind  neighbor, 
and  an  obedient  henpecked^^  husband.  Indeed,  to 
the  latter  circumstance  might  be  owing  the  meek- 
ness of  spirit  which  gained  him  such  universal 
popularity;  for  those  men  are  most  apt  to  be 
obsequious^^  and  conciliating  abroad,  who  are 
under  the  discipline  of  shrews^^  ^t  home.  Their 
tempers,  doubtless,  are  rendered  pliant  and  mal- 
leable in  the  fiery  furnace  of  domestic  tribulation, 
and  a  curtain  lecture^^  is  worth  all  the  sermons  in 
the  world  for  teaching  the  virtues  of  patience  and 
long-suffering.  A  termagant^*  wife  may,  there- 
fore, in  some  respects,  be  considered  a  tolerable 


^Fort  Christina.  The  chief  fortress  of  New  Sweden,  a  Swedish 
colony  on  the  Delaware  conquered  by  the  Dutch  in  1655. 

^^Henpecked.     Governed  by  his  wife. 

'^Obsequious.     Over  ready  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  others. 

"Shrews.     Scolding,  bad-tempered  women. 

^^Curtain  lecture.  A  reproof  given  privately  by  a  wife  to  her 
husband. 

^*Termagant.     Noisy   and  violent  —  applied  chiefly  to  women. 


340  STUDIES  IN  READING 

blessing;  and  if  so,  Rip  Van  Winkle  was  thrice 
blessed. 

Certain  it  is,  that  he  was  a  great  favorite  among 
all  the  good  wives  of  the  village,  who,  as  usual 
with  the  amiable  sex,  took  his  part  in  all  family 
squabbles;  and  never  failed,  whenever  they  talked 
those  matters  over  in  the  evening  gossipings,  to 
lay  all  the  blame  on  Dame  Van  Winkle.  The 
children  of  the  village,  too,  would  shout  with  joy 
whenever  he  approached.  He  assisted  at  their 
sports,  made  their  playthings,  taught  them  to  fly 
kites  and  shoot  marbles,  and  told  them  long  sto- 
ries of  ghosts,  witches,  and  Indians.  Whenever  he 
went  dodging  about  the  village,  he  was  surrounded 
by  a  troop  of  them,  hanging  on  his  skirts,  clamber- 
ing on  his  back,  and  playing  a  thousand  tricks  on 
him  with  impunity ;^^  and  not  a  dog  would  bark 
at  him  throughout  the  neighborhood. 

The  great  error  in  Rip's  composition  was  an 
insuperable  aversion^*^  to  all  kinds  of  profitable 
labor.  It  could  not  be  from  the  want  of  assiduity^^ 
or  perseverance;  for  he  would  sit  on  a  wet  rock, 
with  a  rod  as  long  and  heavy  as  a  Tartar's  lance,^® 
and  fish  all  day  without  a  murmur,  even  though 
he  should  not  be  encouraged  by  a  single  nibble. 


"With  impunity.     Without  danger  of  punisliment. 

^^Insuperable  aversion.  A  dislike  not  capable  of  l)eing  over- 
come. 

"Assiduity.     Close  attention. 

"Tartar's  lance.  A  weapon  proverbially  heavy.  The  Tartars 
were  Asiatics  who  invaded  Europe. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  341 

He  would  carry  a  fowling-piece^^  on  his  shoulder, 
for  hours  together,  trudging  through  woods  and 
swamps,  and  up  hill  and  down  dale,  to  shoot  a  few 
squirrels  or  wild  pigeons.  He  would  never  refuse 
to  assist  a  neighbor  even  in  the  roughest  toil,  and 
was  a  foremost  man  at  all  country  frolics  for 
husking  Indian  corn,^^  or  building  stone  fences. 
The  women  of  the  village,  too,  used  to  employ 
him  to  run  their  errands,  and  to  do  such  little  odd 
jobs  as  their  less  obliging  husbands  would  not 
do  for  them.  In  a  word.  Rip  was  ready  to  attend 
to  anybody's  business  but  his  own ;  but  as  to  doing 
family  duty,  and  keeping  his  farm  in  order,  he 
found  it  impossible. 

In  fact,  he  declared  it  was  of  no  use  to  work 
on  his  farm;  it  was  the  most  pestilent  little  piece 
of  ground  in  the  whole  country;  everything  about 
it  went  wrong,  and  would  go  wrong,  in  spite  of 
him.  His  fences  were  continually  falling  to  pieces; 
his  cow  would  either  go  astray,  or  get  among  the 
cabbages;  weeds  were  sure  to  grow  quicker  in 
his  fields  than  anywhere  else;  the  rain  always 
made  a  point  of  setting  in  just  as  he  had  some 
outdoor  work  to  do;  so  that  though  his  patri- 
monial-^ estate  had  dwindled  away  under  his 
management,  acre  by  acre,  until  there  was  little 
more  left  than  a  mere  patch  of  Indian  corn  and 


^'Fowling-piece.     A  gun  for  ordinary  liunting. 
'"Indian  corn.     Maize.     Tlie  term  includes  the  common  kinds 
of  corn  grown  in  the  United  States. 

^Patrimonial.     Inherited  from  his  father. 


342 STUDIES  IN  READING 

potatoes,  yet  it  was  the  worst  conditioned  farm  in 
the  neighborhood. 

His  children,  too,  were  as  ragged  and  wild  as  if 
they  belonged  to  nobody.  His  son  Rip,  an  urchin 
begotten  in  his  own  likeness,  promised  to  inherit 
the  habits,  with  the  old  clothes  of  his  father.  He 
was  generally  seen  trooping  like  a  colt,  at  his 
mother's  heels,  equipped  in  a  pair  of  his  father's 
cast-off  galligaskins,^^  which  he  had  much  ado  to 
hold  up  with  one  hand,  as  a  fine  lady  does  her 
train  in  bad  weather. 

Rip  Van  Winkle,  however,  was  one  of  those 
happy  mortals,  of  foolish,  well-oiled  dispositions, 
who  take  the  world  easy,  eat  white  bread  or. 
brown,  whichever  can  be  got  with  least  thought 
or  trouble,  and  would  rather  starve  on  a  penny 
than  work  for  a  pound.^^  If  left  to  himself,  he 
would  have  whistled  life  away  in  perfect  content- 
ment; but  his  wife  kept  continually  dinning  in 
his  ears  about  his  idleness,  his  carelessness,  and 
the  ruin  he  was  bringing  on  his  family. 

Morning,  noon,  and  night,  her  tongue  was  inces- 
santly going,  and  everything  he  said  or  did  was 
sure  to  produce  a  torrent  of  household  eloquence. 
Rip  had  but  one  way  of  replying  to  all  lectures  of 
the  kind,  and  that,  by  frequent  use,  had  grown 
into  a  habit.  He  shrugged  his  shoulders,  shook  his 
head,  cast  up  his  eyes,  but  said  nothing.     This, 

'-^Galligaskins.     A  kind  of  large  breeches. 

'"Pound.  An  English  coin,  worth  about  $4.87.  A  penny  is 
1/240  of  a  pound. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  343 

however,  always  provoked  a  fresh  volley  from  his 
wife,  so  that  he  was  fain  to  draw  off  his  forces, 
and  take  to  the  outside  of  the  house — the  only  side 
which,  in  truth,  belongs  to  a  henpecked  husband. 

Rip's  sole  domestic  adherent  was  his  dog  Wolf, 
who  was  as  much  henpecked  as  his  master;  for 
Dame  Van  Winkle  regarded  them  as  companions 
in  idleness,. and  even  looked  upon  Wolf  with  an 
evil  eye,  as  the  cause  of  his  master's  going  so  often 
astray.  True  it  is,  in  all  points  of  spirit  befitting 
an  honorable  dog,  he  was  as  courageous  an  animal 
as  ever  scoured  the  woods^but  what  courage  can 
withstand  the  ever-during  and  all-besetting  terrors 
of  a  woman's  tongue?  The  moment  Wolf  entered 
the  house,  his  crest  fell,  his  tail  drooped  to  the 
ground  or  curled  between  his  legs,  he  sneaked 
about  with  a  gallows  air,^*  casting  many  a  side- 
long glance  at  Dame  Van  Winkle,  and  at  the  least 
flourish  of  a  broomstick  or  ladle,  he  would  fly  to 
the  door  with  yelping  precipitation. 

Times  grew  worse  and  worse  with  Rip  Van 
Winkle  as  years  of  matrimony  rolled  on;  a  tart 
temper  never  mellows  with  age,  and  a  sharp 
tongue  is  the  only  edge  tool  that  grows  keener 
with  constant  use.  For  a  long  while  he  used  to 
console  himself,  when  driven  from  home,  by  fre- 
quenting a  kind  of  perpetual  club  of  the  sages, 
philosophers,  and  other  idle  personages  of  the 
village;  which  held  its  sessions  on  a  bench  before 


*A  gallows  air.     The  air  of  one  condemned  to  be  hanged. 


344  STUDIES  IN  READING 

a  small  inn,  designated  by  a  rubicund-^  portrait  of 
his  majesty  George  the  Third.  Here  they  used  to 
sit  in  the  shade  of  a  long,  lazy  summer's  day,  talk- 
ing listlessly  over  village  gossip,  or  telling  endless 
sleepy  stories  about  nothing.  But  it  would  have 
been  worth  any  statesman's  money  to  have  heard 
the  profound  discussions  which  sometimes  took 
place,  when  by  chance  an  old  newspaper  fell  into 
their  hands,  from  some  passing  traveler.  How 
solemnly  they  would  listen  to  the  contents,  as 
drawled  out  by  Derrick  Van  Bummel,  the  school- 
master, a  dapper  learned  little  man,  who  was  not 
to  be  daunted  by  the  most  gigantic  word  in  the 
dictionary;  and  how  sagely  they  would  deliberate 
upon  public  events  some  months  after  they  had 
taken  place. 

The  opinions  of  this  junto^®  were  completely 
controlled  by  Nicholas  Vedder,  a  patriarch^^  of  the 
village,  and  landlord  of  the  inn,  at  the  door  of 
which  he  took  his  seat  from  morning  till  night, 
just  moving  sufficiently  to  avoid  the  sun,  and  keep 
in  the  shade  of  a  large  tree;  so  that  the  neighbors 
could  tell  the  hour  by  his  movements  as  accurately 
as  by  a  sun-dial.^^  It  is  true,  he  was  rarely  heard 
to  speak,  but  smoked  his  pipe  incessantly.     His 

'^Rubicund.     Ruddy. 

^Junto.  A  private  council,  especially  one  for  political  pur- 
poses. 

'^Patriarch.     An  old  man  —  used  as  a  term  of  respect. 

^Sun-dial.  A  dial,  similar  to  that  of  a  clock,  por|H'ndicular,  to 
which  is  a  triangular  piece  of  metal  called  the  gnomon.  The  de- 
vice is  so  arranged  that  the  place  to  which  the  shadow  of  the 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  345 

adherents,  however  (for  every  great  man  has  his 
adherents),  perfectly  understood  him,  and  knew 
how  to  gather  his  opinions.  When  anything  that 
was  read  or  related  displeased  him,  he  was 
observed  to  smoke  his  pipe  vehemently,  and  to 
send  forth  short,  frequent,  and  angry  puffs;  but 
when  pleased,  he  would  inhale  the  smoke  slowly 
and  tranquilly,  and  emit  it  in  light  and  placid 
clouds,  and  sometimes,  taking  the  pipe  from  his 
mouth,  and  letting  the  fragrant  vapor  curl  about 
his  nose,  would  gravely  nod  his  head  in  token 
of  perfect  approbation. 

From  even  this  stronghold  the  unlucky  Rip  was 
at  length  routed  by  his  termagant  wife,  who  would 
suddenly  break  in  upon  the  tranquillity  of  the 
assemblage,  and  call  the  members  all  to  nought; 
nor  was  that  august  personage,  Nicholas  Vedder 
himself,  sacred  from  the  daring  tongue  of  this 
terrible  virago.^^  who  charged  him  outright  with 
encouraging  her  husband  in  habits  of  idleness. 

Poor  Rip  was  at  last  reduced  almost  to  despair; 
and  his  only  alternative  to  escape,  from  the  labor 
of  the  farm  and  the  clamor  of  his  wife,  was  to 
take  gun  in  hand,  and  stroll  away  into  the  woods. 
Here  he  would  sometime  seat  himself  at  the  foot 
of  a  tree,  and  share  the  contents  of  his  wallet  with 
Wolf,  with  whom  he  sympathized  as  a  fellow- 
gnomon  extends  indicates  the  time  of  day.  Sun-dials  were  fre- 
quently used  in  olden  times  and  are  still  seen  in  some  gardens 
and  other  places. 

^Virago.     A  bold,  fierce  woman. 


346  STUDIES  IN  READING 

sufferer  in  persecution.  "Poor  Wolf,"  he  would 
say,  "thy  mistress  leads  thee  a  dog's  life  of  it;  but 
never  mind,  my  lad,  whilst  I  live  thou  shalt  never 
want  a  friend  to  stand  by  thee!"  Wolf  would 
wag  his  tail,  look  wistfully  in  his  master's  face,  and 
if  dogs  can  feel  pity,  I  verily  believe  he  recipro- 
cated the  sentiment  with  all  his  heart. 

In  a  long  ramble  of  the  kind,  on  a  fine  autumnal 
day.  Rip  had  unconsciously  scrambled  to  one  of 
the  highest  parts  of  the  Kaatskill  Mountains.  He 
was  after  his  favorite  sport  of  squirrel-shooting, 
and  the  still  solitudes  had  echoed  and  re-echoed 
with  the  reports  of  his  gun.  Panting  and  fatigued, 
he  threw  himself,  late  in  the  afternoon,  on  a  green 
knolP*'  covered  with  mountain  herbage,  that 
crowned  the  brow  of  a  precipice.  From  an  open- 
ing between  the  trees,  he  could  overlook  all  the 
lower  country  for  many  a  mile  of  rich  woodland. 
He  saw  at  a  distance  the  lordly  Hudson,  far,  far 
below  him,  moving  on  its  silent  but  majestic 
course,  with  the  reflection  of  a  purple  cloud,  or  the 
sail  of  a  lagging  bark,"'^  here  and  there  sleeping 
on  its  glassy  bosom,  and  at  last  losing  itself  in  the 
blue  highlands. 

On  the  other  side  he  looked  down  into  a  deep 
mountain  glen,  wild,  lonely,  and  shagged,  the  bot- 
tom filled  with  fragments  from  the  impending'^ 
cliffs,  and  scarcely  lighted  by  the  reflected  rays  of 


''Knoll     A  hilltop. 
*^Bark.     Ship. 
'^'Impending.     Overhanging. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  347 

the  setting  sun.  For  some  time  Rip  lay  musing'^ 
on  this  scene;  evening  was  gradually  advancing; 
the  mountains  began  to  throw  their  long,  blue 
shadows  over  the  valleys;  he  saw  that  it  would 
be  dark  long  before  he  could  reach  the  village, 
and  he  heaved  a  heavy  sigh  when  he  thought  of 
encountering  the  terrors  of  Dame  Van  Winkle. 

As  he  was  about  to  descend  he  heard  a  voice 
from  a  distance  hallooing,  "Rip  Van  Winkle !  Rip 
Van  Winkle!"  He  looked  around,  but  could  see 
nothing  but  a  crow  winging  its  solitary  flight 
across  the  mountain.  He  thought  his  fancy  must 
have  deceived  him,  and  turned  again  to  descend, 
when  he  heard  the  same  cry  ring  through  the  still 
evening  air:  "Rip  Van  Winkle!  Rip  Van  Winkle!" 
— at  the  same  time  Wolf  bristled  up  his  back,  and 
giving  a  low  growl,  skulked  to  his  master's  side, 
looking  fearfully  down  into  the  glen.  Rip  now  felt 
a  vague  apprehension^*  stealing  over  him;  he 
looked  anxiously  in  the  same  direction,  and  per- 
ceived a  strange  figure  slowly  toiling  up  the  rocks, 
and  bending  under  the  weight  of  something  he 
carried  on  his  back.  He  was  surprised  to  see  any 
human  being  in  this  lonely  and  unfrequented 
place,  but  supposing  it  to  be  some  one  of  the  neigh- 
borhood in  need  of  his  assistance,  he  hastened 
down  to  yield  it. 

On  nearer  approach,  he  was  still  more  surprised 


^Musing.     Silently  thinking;  meditating. 
^Apprehension.     Distrust  of  something  in   the  future. 


348  STUDIES  IN  READING 

at  the  singularity^^  of  the  stranger's  appearance. 
He  was  a  short,  square-built  old  fellow,  with  thick, 
bushy  hair,  and  a  grizzled  beard.  His  dress  was 
of  the  antique  Dutch  fashion — a  cloth  jerkin*^ 
strapped  round  the  waist — several  pairs  of 
breeches,  the  outer  one  of  ample  volume,  deco- 
rated with  rows  of  buttons  down  the  sides,  and 
bunches  at  the  knees.  He  bore  on  his  shoulder  a 
stout  keg,  that  seemed  full  of  liquor,  and  made 
signs  for  Rip  to  approach  and  assist  him  with  the 
load.  Though  rather  shy  and  distrustful  of  this 
new  acquaintance.  Rip  complied  with  his  usual 
alacrity,  and  mutually  relieving  each  other,  they 
clambered  up  a  narrow  gully,  apparently  the  dry 
bed  of  a  mountain  torrent.  As  they  ascended.  Rip 
every  now  and  then  heard  long,  rolling  peals,  like 
distant  thunder,  that  seemed  to  issue  out  of  a 
deep  ravine,  or  rather  cleft  between  lofty  rocks, 
toward  which  their  rugged  path  conducted.  He 
paused  for  an  instant,  but  supposing  it  to  be  the 
muttering  of  one  of  those  transient  thunder  show- 
ers which  often  take  place  in  mountain  heights, 
he  proceeded.  Passing  through  the  ravine,  they 
came  to  a  hollow,  like  a  small  amphitheatre," 
surrounded  by  perpendicular  precipices,  over  the 
brinks  of  which  impending  trees  shot  their 
branches,  so  that  you  only  caught  glimpses  of  the 
azure  sky,  and  the  bright  evening  cloud.     Dur- 


^Singularity.     Oddity. 
^Jerkin.     A  short,  tight  jnokcf, 
"Amphitheatre.     A  circular  tlu 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  349 


ing  the  whole  time,  Rip  and  his  companion  had 
labored  on  in  silence;  for  though  the  former  mar- 
veled greatly  what  could  be  the  object  of  carrying 
a  keg  of  liquor  up  this  wild  mountain,  yet  there 
was  something  strange  and  incomprehensible 
about  the  unknown,  that  inspired  awe  and  checked 
familiarity. 

On  entering  the  amphitheatre,  new  objects  of 
wonder  presented  themselves.  On  a  level  spot  in 
the  center  was  a  company  of  odd-looking  person- 
ages playing  at  nine-pins.^^  They  were  dressed  in 
a  quaint,  outlandish^^  fashion:  some  wore  short 
doublets,*^  others  jerkins,  with  long  knives  in  their 
belts,  and  most  of  them  had  enormous  breeches, 
of  similar  style  with  that  of  the  guide's.  Their 
visages,  too,  were  peculiar;  one  had  a  large  head, 
broad  face,  and  small  piggish  eyes;  the  face  of 
another  seemed  to  consist  entirely  of  nose,  and 
was  surmounted  by  a  white  sugar-loaf  hat,*^  set 
off  with  a  little  red  cock's  tail.  They  all  had 
beards,  of  various  shapes  and  colors.  There  was 
one  who  seemed  to  be  the  commander.  He  was  a 
stout  old  gentleman,  with  a  weather-beaten  coun- 
tenance; he  wore  a  laced  doublet,*^  broad  belt  and 


^Nine-pins.  A  game  wherein  nine  pins,  or  wooden  pegs,  are 
bowled  at  with  wooden  balls. 

'^^Outlandish.     Strange. 

*°Doublets.  Close-fitting  jackets,  extending  a  little  below  the 
waist. 

*^8ugar-loaf  hat.  A  high-crowned,  conical  hat,  shaped  some- 
what like  the  loaves  of  sugar  made  some  three  hundred  years  ago. 

*'^Laced  doublet.  A  doublet  drawn  by  means  of  laces  to  fit  the 
form  of  the  wearer. 


350  STUDIES  IN  READING 

hanger,*^  high-crowned  hat  and  feather,  red  stock- 
ings, and  high-heeled  shoes,  with  roses  in  them. 
The  whole  group  reminded  Rip  of  the  figures  in 
an  old  Flemish  painting,*^  in  the  parlor  of  Dominie 
Van  Schaick,*^  the  village  parson,  and  which  had 
been  brought  over  from  Holland  at  the  time  of 
the  settlement. 

What  seemed  particularly  odd  to  Rip  was,  that 
though  these  folks  were  evidently  amusing  them- 
selves, yet  they  maintained  the  gravest  faces,  the 
most  mysterious  silence,  and  were,  withal,  the 
most  melancholy  party  of  pleasure  he  had  ever 
witnessed.  Nothing  interrupted  the  stillness  of 
the  scene,  but  the  noise  of  the  balls,  which,  when- 
ever they  were  rolled,  echoed  along  the  moun- 
tains like  rumbling  peals  of  thunder. 

As  Rip  and  his  companion  approached  them, 
they  suddenly  desisted  from  their  play,  and  stared 
at  him  with  such  a  fixed  statue-like  gaze,  and  such 
ctrange,  uncouth,''^  lacklustre*^  countenances,  that 
his  heart  turned  within  him,  and  his  knees  smote 
together.  His  companion  now  emptied  the  con- 
tents of  the  keg  into  large  flagons,*^  and  made  signs 


*^Hanger.     A  sliort,  curved  sword. 

**Flemish  painting.  A  painting  done  in  Flanders,  in  the  Low 
Countries.  The  Flemish  painters  are  supposed  to  have  been  the 
first  to  paint  in  oil. 

*^Dominie.  A  title  given  to  a  minister,  especially  to  one  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  denomination. 

*^Uncouth.     Strange;  unfamiliar. 

"Lacklustre.     Lacking  brightness. 

**Flagons.     Narrow-mouthed  vessels,  used  for  liquor. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  351 

to  him  to  wait  upon  the  company.  He  obeyed  with 
fear  and  trembling;  they  quafifed  the  liquor  in 
profound  silence,  and  then  returned  to  their  game. 

By  degrees.  Rip's  awe  and  apprehension  sub- 
sided. He  even  ventured,  when  no  eye  was  fixed 
upon  him,  to  taste  the  beverage,  which  he  found 
had  much  of  the  flavor  of  excellent  Hollands.*^  He 
was  naturally  a  thirsty  soul,  and  was  soon  tempted 
to  repeat  the  draught.  One  taste  provoked 
another,  and  he  reiterated^°  his  visits  to  the  flagon 
so  often,  that  at  length  his  senses  were  overpow- 
ered, his  eyes  swam  in  his  head,  his  head  gradu- 
ally declined,  and  he  fell  into  a  deep  sleep. 

On  waking,  he  found  himself  on  the  green  knoll 
from  whence  he  had  first  seen  the  old  man  of  the 
glen.  He  rubbed  his  eyes — it  was  a  bright,  sunny 
morning.  The  birds  were  hopping  and  twitter- 
ing among  the  bushes,  and  the  eagle  was  wheeling 
aloft,  and  breasting  the  pure  mountain  breeze. 
"Surely,"  thought  Rip,  "I  have  not  slept  here  all 
night."  He  recalled  the  occurrences  before  he  fell 
asleep.  The  strange  man  with  the  keg  of  liquor — 
the  mountain  ravine — the  wild  retreat  among  the 
rocks — the  woe-begone^^  party  at  nine-pins — the 
flagon — "Oh!  that  wicked  flagon!"  thought  Rip — 
"what  excuse  shall  I  make  to  Dame  Van  Winkle?" 

He  looked  round  for  his  gun,  but  in  place  of  the 
clean,  well-oiled  fowling-piece,  he  found  an  old 


*^Eollands.     A  kind  of  gin  made  in  Holland. 
'^^  Reiterated.     Repeated. 
^^Woe-hegone.     Extremely  sorrowful. 


352  •  STUDIES  IN  READING 

fire-lock^^  lying  by  him,  the  barrel  encrusted  with 
rust,  the  lock  falling  off,  and  the  stock  worm- 
eaten.  He  now  suspected  that  the  grave  roy- 
sterers^^  of  the  mountain  had  put  a  trick  upon  him, 
and  having  dosed  him  with  liquor,  had  robbed 
him  of  his  gun.  Wolf,  too,  had  disappeared,  but 
he  might  have  strayed  away  after  a  squirrel  or 
partridge.  He  whistled  after  him,  and  shouted  his 
name,  but  all  in  vain;  the  echoes  repeated  his 
whistle  and  shout,  but  no  dog  was  to  be  seen. 

He  determined  to  revisit  the  scene  of  the  last 
evening's  gambol,^*  and  if  he  met  with  any  of  the 
party,  to  demand  his  dog  and  gun.  As  he  rose  to 
walk,  he  found  himself  stiff  in  the  joints,  and 
wanting  in  his  usual  activity.  "These  mountain 
beds  do  not  agree  with  me,"  thought  Rip;  "and  if 
ithis  frolic  should  lay  me  up  with  a  fit  of  the 
rheumatism,  I  shall  have  a  blessed  time  with  Dame 
Van  Winkle."  With  some  difficulty  he  got  down 
into  the  glen;  he  found  the  gully  up  which  he  and 
his  companion  had  ascended  the  previous  evening; 
but  to  his  astonishment  a  mountain  stream  was 
now  foaming  down  it,  leaping  from  rock  to  rock, 
and  filling  the  glen  with  babbling  murmurs.  He, 
however,  made  shift^'^  to  scramble  up  its  sides, 
working  his  toilsome    way    through    thickets    of 


"Fire-lock.     A    flintlock,    a    gun    in    which    the    powder    was 
ignited  by  means  of  sparks  from  a  piece  of  flint. 
^Roysterers.     Drunken  frolickers. 
^Oarribol.     Sport. 
'^Made  shift.     Managed;  contrived. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  353 

birch,  sassafras,  and  witch-hazel,  and  sometimes 
tripped  up  or  entangled  by  the  wild  grape-vines 
that  twisted  their  coils  and  tendrils  from  tree  to 
tree,  and  spread  a  kind  of  network  in  his  path. 

At  length  he  reached  to  where  the  ravine  had 
opened  through  the  cliffs  to  the  amphitheatre;  but 
no  traces  of  such  opening  remained.  The  rocks 
presented  a  high  impenetrable  wall,  over  which 
the  torrent  came  tumbling  in  a  sheet  of  feathery 
foam,  and  fell  into  a  broad,  deep  basin,  black  from 
the  shadows  of  the  surrounding  forest.  Here,  then, 
poor  Rip  was  brought  to  a  stand.  He  again  called 
and  whistled  after  his  dog;  he  was  only  answered 
by  the  cawing  of  a  flock  of  idle  crows,  sporting 
high  in  air  about  a  dry  tree  that  overhung  a  sunny 
precipice;  and  who,  secure  in  their  elevation, 
seemed  to  look  down  and  scoff  at  the  poor  man's 
perplexities.  What  was  to  be  done?  The  morn- 
ing was  passing  away,  and  Rip  felt  famished  for 
want  of  his  breakfast.  He  grieved  to  give  up  his 
dog  and  gun;  he  dreaded  to  meet  his  wife;  but  it 
would  not  do  to  starve  among  the  mountains.  He 
shook  his  head,  shouldered  the  rusty  fire-lock,  and 
with  a  heart  full  of  trouble  and  anxiety,  turned  his 
steps  homeward. 

As  he  approached  the  village,  he  met  a  number 
of  people,  but  none  whom  he  knew,  which  some- 
what surprised  him,  for  he  had  thought  himself 
acquainted  with  every  one  in  the  country  round. 
Their  dress,  too,  was  of  a  different  fashion  from 
that  to  which  he  was  accustomed.    They  all  stared 


354  STUDIES  IN  READING 

at  him  with  equal  marks  of  surprise,  and  when- 
ever they  cast  eyes  upon  him,  invariably  stroked 
their  chins.  The  constant  recurrence  of  this  ges- 
ture induced  Rip,  involuntarily,  to  do  the  same, 
when,  to  his  astonishment,  he  found  his  beard  had 
grown  a  foot  long! 

He  had  now  entered  the  skirts  of  the  village.  A 
troop  of  strange  children  ran  at  his  heels,  hooting 
after  him,  and  pointing  at  his  gray  beard.  The 
dogs,  too,  not  one  of  which  he  recognized  for  an 
old  acquaintance,  barked  at  him  as  he  passed.  The 
very  village  was  altered;  it  was  larger  and  more 
populous.  There  were  rows  of  houses  which  he 
had  never  seen  before,  and  those  which  had  been 
his  familiar  haunts  had  disappeared.  Strange 
names  were  over  the  doors — strange  faces  at  the 
windows — everything  was  strange.  His  mind  now 
misgave  him;  he  began  to  doubt  whether  both  he 
and  the  world  around  him  were  not  bewitched.^® 
Surely  this  was  his  native  village,  which  he  had 
left  but  a  day  before.  There  stood  the  Kaatskill 
Mountains — there  ran  the  silver  Hudson  at  a  dis- 
tance— there  was  every  hill  and  dale  precisely  as 
it  had  always  been — Rip  was  sorely  perplexed — 
"That  flagon  last  night,"  thought  he,  "has  addled"^' 
my  poor  head  sadly!" 

It  was  with  some  difllculty  that  he  found  the  way 
to  his  own  house,  which  he  approached  with  silent 


^Bewitched.     Changed  by  means  of  witchcraft,  or  magic. 
"Addled.     Confused. 


EIP   VAN   WINKLE  355 

awe,  expecting  every  moment  to  hear  the  shrill 
voice  of  Dame  Van  Winkle.  He  found  the  house 
gone  to  decay — the  roof  fallen  in,  the  windov^s 
shattered,  and  the  doors  off  the  hinges.  A  half- 
starved  dog,  that  looked  like  Wolf,  was  skulking 
about  it.  Rip  called  him  by  name,  but  the  cur 
snarled,  showed  his  teeth,  and  passed  on.  This 
was  an  unkind  cut  indeed. — "My  very  dog,"  sighed 
poor  Rip,  "has  forgotten  me!" 

He  entered  the  house,  which,  to  tell  the  truth. 
Dame  Van  Winkle  had  always  kept  in  neat  order. 
It  was  empty,  forlorn,  and  apparently  abandoned. 
The  desolateness  overcame  all  his  connubiaP^ 
fears — he  called  loudly  for  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren— the  lonely  chambers  rang  for  a  moment  with 
his  voice,  and  then  all  again  was  silence. 

He  now  hurried  forth,  and  hastened  to  his  old 
resort,  the  village  inn — but  it,  too,  was  gone.  A 
large  rickety  wooden  building  stood  in  its  place, 
with  great  gaping  windows,  some  of  them  broken, 
and  mended  with  old  hats  and  petticoats,  and  over 
the  door  was  painted,  "The  Union  Hotel,  by  Jona- 
than Doolittle."  Instead  of  the  great  tree  that 
used  to  shelter  the  quiet,  little  Dutch  inn  of  yore, 
there  now  was  reared  a  tall,  naked  pole,  with 
something  on  the  top  that  looked  like  a  red  night- 
cap, and  from  it  was  fluttering  a  flag,  on  which  was 
a  singular  assemblage  of  stars  and  stripes — all  this 
was  strange  and  incomprehensible.    He  recognized 


^Connuhial.     Pertaining  to  married  life. 


356  STUDIES  IN  READING 

on  the  sign,  however,  the  ruby  face  of  King 
George,^''  under  which  he  had  smoked  so  many  a 
peaceful  pipe,  but  even  this  was  singularly  meta- 
morphosed.^^ The  red  coat  was  changed  for  one 
of  blue  and  buff,  a  sword  was  held  in  the  hand 
instead  of  a  sceptre,  the  head  was  decorated  with 
a  cocked  hat,^^  and  underneath  was  painted  in 
large  characters,  "General  Washington." 

There  was,  as  usual,  a  crowd  of  folk  about  the 
door,  but  none  that  Rip  recollected.  The  very 
character  of  the  people  seemed  changed.  There 
was  a  busy,  bustling,  disputatious^-  tone  about  it, 
instead  of  the  accustomed  phlegm^^  and  drowsy 
tranquillity.  He  looked  in  vain  for  the  sage  Nicho- 
las Vedder,  with  his  broad  face,  double  chin,  and 
fair,  long  pipe,  uttering  clouds  of  tobacco  smoke, 
instead  of  idle  speeches;  or  Van  Bummel,  the 
schoolmaster,  doling  forth^*  the  contents  of  an 
ancient  newspaper.  In  place  of  these,  a  lean, 
bilious-looking  fellow,  with  his  pockets  full  of 
handbills,  was  haranguing^^  vehemently  about 
rights  of  citizens — election — members  of  Congress 


^^King  George.  George  III.,  King  of  England  when  the  Amer- 
ican colonies  gained  their  independence. 

'^Metamorphosed.     Changed. 

^^Cocked  hat.  A  hat  set  on  one  side  of  the  head  —  usually 
applied  to  the  three-cornered  hats  worn  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
eighteenth  century. 

^Disputatious.     Full  of  dispute,  or  contentious  argument. 

^Phlegm.     Calm  indifference. 

^*Doling.     Giving  out  in  small  portions. 

*^IIaranguing.     Making  a  public  speech. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  357 

— liberty — Bunker's  Hill — heroes  of  seventy-six — 
and  other  words,  that  were  a  perfect  Babylonish 
jargon*^^  to  the  bewildered  Van  Winkle. 

The  appearance  of  Rip,  with  his  long,  grizzled 
beard,  his  rusty  fowling-piece,  his  uncouth  dress, 
and  the  army  of  women  and  children  that  had 
gathered  at  his  heels,  soon  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  tavern  politicians.  They  crowded  round 
him,  eyeing  him  from  head  to  foot,  with  great 
curiosity.  The  orator  bustled  up  to  him,  and  draw- 
ing him  partly  aside,  inquired  "on  which  side  he 
voted?"  Rip  stared  in  vacant  stupidity.  Another 
short  but  busy  little  fellow  pulled  him  by  the  arm, 
and  rising  on  tiptoe,  inquired  in  his  ear,  "whether 
he  was  Federal®^  or  Democrat."®^  Rip  was  equally 
at  a  loss  to  comprehend  the  question;  when  a 
knowing,  self-important  old  gentleman,  in  a  sharp 
cocked  hat,  made  his  way  through  the  crowd,  put- 
ting them  to  the  right  and  left  with  his  elbows  as 
he  passed,  and  planting  himself  before  Van  Win- 
kle, with  one  arm  akimbo,^^  the  other  resting  on 
his  cane,  his  keen  eyes  and  sharp  hat  penetrating, 
as  it  were,  into  his  very  soul,  demanded  in  an 


^Babylonish  jargon.  Unintelligible  talk,  such  as  was  heard 
at  the  Tower  of  Babel  during  the  confusion  of  tongues. 

^Tederal.  The  name  of  a  party  corresponding  somewhat  to 
the  modern  Republican  party. 

'^Democrat.  The  name  of  a  party  corresponding  somewhat  to 
the  modern  Democratic  party. 

^Akimbo.  A  term  applied  to  the  position  of  the  arm  when 
the  hand  rests  upon  the  hip,  with  the  elbow  pointing  sharply 
outward. 


358  STUDIES  IN  READING 

austere  tone,  "what  brought  him  to  the  election 
with  a  gun  on  his  shoulder,  and  a  mob  at  his  heels, 
and  whether  he  meant  to  breed  a  riot  in  the  vil- 
lage?" 

"Alas!  gentlemen,"  cried  Rip,  somewhat  dis- 
mayed, "I  am  a  poor,  quiet  man,  a  native  of  the 
place,  and  a  loyal  subject  of  the  king,  God  bless 
him!" 

Here  a  general  shout  burst  from  the  bystanders 
— "A  tory!  a  tory!^°  a  spy!  a  refugee !^^  hustle  him! 
away  with  him!" 

It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  the  self-import- 
ant man  in  the  cocked  hat  restored  order;  and 
having  assumed  a  tenfold  austerity  of  brow, 
demanded  again  of  the  unknown  culprit  what  he 
came  there  for,  and  whom  he  was  seeking.  The 
poor  man  humbly  assured  him  that  he  meant  no 
harm,  but  merely  came  there  in  search  of  some  of 
his  neighbors,  who  used  to  keep  about  the  tavern. 

"Well — who  are  they? — name  them." 

Rip  bethought  himself  a  moment,  and  inquired; 
"Where's  Nicholas  Vedder?" 

There  was  a  silence  for  a  little  while,  when  an 
old  man  replied,  in  a  thin,  piping  voice,  "Nicholas 
Vedder?  why,  he  is  dead  and  gone  these  eighteen 
years!     There  was  a  wooden   tombstone  in  the 


''"Tory.  Tlie  term  applied  to  Americans  who  were  loyal  to 
England  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

''^Refugee.  One  who  flees  for  protection,  generally  from  polite 
ioal  or  religious  persecution. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  359 

churchyard  that  used  to  tell  all  about  him,  but 
that's  rotted  and  gone,  too." 

"Where's  Brom  Butcher?" 

"Oh,  he  went  off  to  the  army  in  the  beginning 
of  the  war;  some  say  he  was  killed  at  the  storm- 
ing of  Stony  Point^^ — others  say  he  was  drowned 
in  the  squall,  at  the  foot  of  Antony's  Nose/^  I 
don't  know — he  never  came  back  again." 

"Where's  Van  Bummel,  the  schoolmaster?" 

"He  went  off  to  the  wars,  too;  was  a  great  militia 
general,  and  is  now  in  Congress." 

Rip's  heart  died  away,  at  hearing  of  these  sad 
changes  in  his  home  and  friends,  and  finding  him- 
self thus  alone  in  the  world.  Every  answer  puz- 
zled him,  too,  by  treating  of  such  enormous  lapses 
of  time,  and  of  matters  which  he  could  not  under- 
stand: w^ar — Congress — Stony  Point! — he  had  no 
courage  to  ask  after  any  more  friends,  but  cried 
out  in  despair,  "Does  nobody  here  know  Rip  Van 
Winkle?" 

"Oh,  Rip  Van  Winkle!"  exclaimed  two  or  three. 
"Oh  to  be  sure!  that's  Rip  Van  Winkle  yonder, 
leaning  against  the  tree." 


"Stony  Point.  On  June  1,  1779,  Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson, 
was  taken  by  the  British.  On  July  16  of  the  same  year,  the 
Americans,  under  General  "Mad  Anthony"  Wayne,  stormed  the 
fort  and  recaptured  it.  Irving  here  doubtless  refers  to  the  latter 
occasion. 

^^Antony*s  Nose.  Antony's,  or  St.  Anthony's,  Nose  is  a  head- 
land on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  fifty-seven  miles  from  New 
York  city. 


360  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Rip  looked,  and  beheld  a  precise  counterpart^* 
of  himself  as  he  went  up  the  mountain;  apparently 
as  lazy,  and  certainly  as  ragged.  The  poor  fellow 
was  now  completely  confounded.  He  doubted  his 
own  identity,  and  whether  he  was  himself  or 
another  man.  In  the  midst  of  his  bewilderment, 
the  man  in  the  cocked  hat  demanded  who  he  was, 
and  what  was  his  name? 

"God  knows,"  exclaimed  he  at  his  wit's  end;  "Fm 
not  myself — I'm  somebody  else — that's  me  yonder 
— no — that's  somebody  else,  got  into  my  shoes — I 
was  myself  last  night,  but  I  fell  asleep  on  the 
mountain,  and  they've  changed  my  gun,  and  every- 
thing's changed,  and  I'm  changed,  and  I  can't  tell 
what's  my  name,  or  who  I  am !" 

The  bystanders  began  now  to  look  at  each 
other,  nod,  wink  significantly,  and  tap  their  fingers 
against  their  foreheads.^®  There  was  a  whisper, 
also,  about  securing  the  gun,  and  keeping  the  old 
fellow  from  doing  mischief;  at  the  very  sugges- 
tion of  which  the  self-important  man  with  the 
cocked  hat  retired  with  some  precipitation.^®  At 
this  critical  moment  a  fresh  likely-looking  woman 
passed  through  the  throng  to  get  a  peep  at  the 
gray-bearded  man.  She  had  a  chubby  child  in 
her  arms  which,  frightened  at  his  looks,  began  to 


''*Precise  counterpart.     Exact  image.  • 

"Tap  their  fingers  against  their  foreheads.     A  sign  that  they 

regarded  Rip  as  crazy. 

'"^Precipitation.      Headlong    ha'ste.      Further    indication    that 

some  regarded  Rip  as  out  of  his  head. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  36] 

cry.  "Hush,  Bip,"  cried  she,  "hush,  you  little  fool; 
the  old  man  won't  hurt  you."  The  name  of  the 
child,  the  air  of  the  mother,  the  tone  of  her  voice, 
all  awakened  a  train  of  recollections  in  his  mind. 

"What  is  your  name,  my  good  woman?"  asked 
he. 

"Judith  Gardenier." 

"And  your  father's  name?" 

"Ah,  poor  man,  his  name  was  Rip  Van  Winkle; 
it's  twenty  years  since  he  went  away  from  home 
with  his  gun,  and  never  has  been  heard  of  since — 
his  dog  came  home  without  him;  but  whether  he 
shot  himself,  or  was  carried  away  by  the  Indians, 
nobody  can  tell.     I  was  then  but  a  little  girl." 

Rip  had  but  one  question  more  to  ask;  but  he 
put  it  with  a  faltering  voice: 

"Where's  your  mother?" 

Oh,  she  too  had  died  but  a  short  time  since: 
she  broke  a  blood-vessel  in  a  fit  of  passion  at  a 
New  England  peddler. 

There  was  a  drop  of  comfort,  at  least,  in  this 
intelligence.  The  honest  man  could  contain  him- 
self no  longer.  He  caught  his  daughter  and  her 
child  in  his  arms.  "I  am  your  father!"  cried  he — 
"Young  Rip  Van  Winkle  once — old  Rip  Van 
Winkle  now! — Does  nobody  know  poor  Rip  Van 
Winkle!" 

All  stood  amazed,  until  an  old  woman,  tottering 
out  from  among  the  crowd,  put  her  hand  to  her 
brow,  and  peering  under  it  in  his  face  for  a  mo- 
ment,  exclaimed,   "Sure   enough!   it  is  Rip  Van 


362  STUDIES  IN  READING 

Winkle — it  is  himself !  Welcome  home  again,  old 
neighbor — Why,  where  have  you  been  these 
twenty  long  years?" 

Rip's  stoiy  was  soon  told,  for  the  whole  twenty 
years  had  been  to  him  but  as  one  night.  The 
neighbors  stared  when  they  heard  it;  some  were 
seen  to  wink  at  each  other,  and  put  their  tongues 
in  their  cheeks;  and  the  self-important  man  in  the 
cocked  hat,  who,  when  the  alarm  was  over,  had 
returned  to  the  field,  screwed  down  the  corners 
of  his  mouth,  and  shook  his  head — upon  which 
there  was  a  general  shaking  of  the  head  through- 
out the  assemblage. 

It  was  determined,  however,  to  take  the  opinion 
of  old  Peter  Vanderdonk,  who  was  seen  slowly 
advancing  up  the  road.  He  was  a  descendant  of 
the  historian  of  that  name,  who  wrote  one  of  the 
earliest  accounts  of  the  province.  Peter  was  the 
most  ancient  inhabitant  of  the  village,  and  well 
versed  in  all  the  wonderful  events  and  traditions 
of  the  neighborhood.  He  recollected  Rip  at  once, 
and  corroborated  his  story  in  the  most  satisfactory 
manner.  He  assured  the  company  that  it  was  a 
fact,  handed  down  from  his  ancestor,  the  historian, 
that  the  Kaatskill  Mountains  had  always  been 
haunted  by  strange  beings.  That  it  was  aCTirmed 
that  the  great  Hendrick  Hudson,"  the  first  discov- 


""BendricTc  Hudson.  Henry  Hudson,  who  discovered  the  Hud- 
son River  in  1609.  Two  years  later  he  was  deserted  by  his  crew 
and  presumably  perished. 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  363 

erer  of  the  river  and  country,  kept  a  kind  of  vigiP^ 
there  every  twenty  years,  with  his  crew  of  the 
Half-Moon,^'^  being  permitted  in  this  way  to  revisit 
the  scenes  of  his  enterprise,  and  keep  a  guardian 
eye  upon  the  river  and  the  great  city^^  called  by 
his  name.  That  his  father  had  once  seen  them  in 
their  old  Dutch  dresses  playing  at  nine-pins  in 
the  hollow  of  the  mountain;  and  that  he  himself 
had  heard,  one  summer  afternoon,  the  sound  of 
their  balls,  like  distant  peals  of  thunder. 

To  make  a  long  story  short,  the  company  broke 
up,  and  returned  to  the  more  important  concerns 
of  the  election.  Rip's  daughter  took  him  home  to 
live  with  her:  she  had  a  snug,  well-furnished 
house,  and  a  stout,  cheery  farmer  for  a  husband, 
whom  Rip  recollected  for  one  of  the  urchins  who 
used  to  climb  upon  his  back.  As  to  Rip's  son  and 
heir,  who  was  the  ditto^^  of  himself,  seen  leaning 
against  the  tree,  he  was  employed  to  work  on  the 
farm,  but  evinced  a  hereditary^-  disposition  to 
attend  to  anything  else  but  his  business. 

Rip  now  resumed  his  old  walks  and  habits;  he 
soon  found  many  of  his  former  cronies,^^  though 


''Vigil     Watch. 

''^Half-Moon.  Tho  name  of  the  ship  with  which  Hudson  made 
his  explorations. 

^The  great  city.  There  is  a  city  called  Hudson,  farther  up  the 
river.  Its  population  is  about  11,000.  Irving  was  probably  think- 
ing chiefly  of  the  river. 

^ Ditto.     Exact  likeness  in  all  respects. 

^'Hereditary.     Handed  down  from  one's  parents. 

^Cronies.     Familiar,  intimate  companions. 


364  STUDIES  IN  READING 

all  rather  the  worse  for  the  wear  and  tear  of  time; 
and  preferred  making  friends  among  the  rising 
generation,  with  whom  he  soon  grew  into  great 
favor. 

Having  nothing  to  do  at  home,  and  being  arrived 
at  that  happy  age  when  a  man  can  do  nothing 
with  impunity,  he  took  his  place  once  more  on  the 
bench,  at  the  inn  door,  and  was  reverenced  as  one 
of  the  patriarchs  of  the  village,  and  a  chronicle  of 
the  old  times  "before  the  war."  It  was  some  time 
before  he  could  get  into  the  regular  track  of 
gossip,  or  could  be  made  to  comprehend  the 
strange  events  that  had  taken  place  during  his 
torpor.  How  that  there  had  been  a  revolutionary 
war — that  the  country  had  thrown  off  the  yoke  of 
old  England — and  that,  instead  of  being  a  subject 
of  his  majesty  George  the  Third,  he  was  now  a  free 
citizen  of  the  United  States.  Rip,  in  fact,  was  no 
politician;  the  changes  of  states  and  empires  made 
but  little  impression  on  him;  but  there  was  one 
species®*  of  despotism®^  under  which  he  had  long 
groaned,  and  that  was — petticoat  government.®* 
Happily,  that  was  at  an  end;  he  had  got  his  neck 
out  of  the  yoke  of  matrimony,  and  could  go  in  and 
out  whenever  he  pleased,  without  dreading  the 
tyranny  of  Dame  Van  Winkle.  Whenever  her 
name  was  mentioned,  however,  he  shook  his  head, 
shrugged   his   shoulders,    and   cast   up   his   eyes; 


^Species.     Kind. 

^Despotism.     Absolute,  irresponsible  rule. 

"Petticoat  government.     Government  by  a  woman. 


RIP   VAN   "WINKLE  365 

which  might  pass  either  for  an  expression  of 
resignation  to  his  fate,  or  joy  at  his  deliverance. 
He  used  to  tell  his  story  to  every  stranger  that 
arrived  at  Mr.  Doolittle's  hotel.  He  was  observed, 
at  first,  to  vary  on  some  points  every  time  he  told 
it,  which  was,  doubtless,  owing  to  his  having  so 
recently  awakened.  It  at  last  settled  down  pre- 
cisely to  the  tale  I  have  related,  and  not  a  man, 
woman,  or  child  in  the  neighborhood  but  knew  it 
by  heart.  Some  always  pretended  to  doubt  the 
reality  of  it,  and  insisted  that  Rip  had  been  out 
of  his  head,  and  that  this  was  one  point  on  which 
he  always  remained  flighty.  The  old  Dutch  inhabi- 
tants, however,  almost  universally  give  it  full 
credit.  Even  to  this  day,  they  never  hear  a 
thunder-storm  of  a  summer  afternoon  about  the 
Kaatskill  but  they  say  Hendrick  Hudson  and  his 
crew  are  at  their  game  of  nine-pins;  and  it  is  a 
common  wish  of  all  henpecked  husbands  in  the 
neighborhood,  when  life  hangs  heavy  on  their 
hands,  that  they  might  have  a  quieting  draught 
out  of  Rip  Van  Winkle's  flagon. 

NOTE 

The  foregoing  tale,  one  would  suspect,  had  been 
suggested  to  Mr.  Knickerbocker  by  a  little  German 
superstition  about  the  Emperor  Frederick  der 
Rothbart,  and  the  Kyffhauser  Mountain :  the  sub- 
joined note,  however,  which  he  had  appended  to 
the  tale,  shows  that  it  is  an  absolute  fact,  narrated 
with  his  usual  fidelity: 


366  STUDIES  IN  READING 

"The  story  of  Rip  Van  Winkle  may  seem  incred- 
ible to  many,  but  nevertheless  I  give  it  my  full 
belief,  for  I  knovv^  the  vicinity  of  our  old  Dutch 
settlements  to  have  been  very  subject  to  marvel- 
ous events  and  appearances.  Indeed,  I  have  heard 
many  stranger  stories  than  this,  in  the  villages 
along  the  Hudson;  all  of  which  were  too  well 
authenticated  to  admit  of  a  doubt.  I  have  even 
talked  with  Rip  Van  Winkle  myself,  who,  when 
last  I  saw  him,  was  a  very  venerable  old  man,  and 
so  perfectly  rational  and  consistent  on  every  other 
point  that  I  think  no  conscientious  person  could 
refuse  to  take  this  into  the  bargain;  nay,  I  have 
seen  a  certificate  on  the  subject  taken  before  a 
country  justice  and  signed  with  a  cross  in  the  jus- 
tice's own  handwriting.  The  story,  therefore,  is 
beyond  the  possibility  of  doubt.  D.  K." 

POSTSCRIPT 

The  following  are  traveling  notes  from  a 
memorandum-book  of  Mr.  Knickerbocker: 

The  Kaatsberg,  or  Catskill,  Mountains  have 
always  been  a  region  full  of  fable.  The  Indians 
considered  them  the  abode  of  spirits,  who  influ- 
enced the  w^eather,  spreading  sunshine  or  clouds 
over  the  landscape,  and  sending  good  or  bad  hunt- 
ing seasons.  They  were  ruled  by  an  old  squaw 
spirit,  said  to  be  their  mother.  She  dwelt  on  the 
highest  peak  of  the  Catskills,  and  had  charge  of 
the  doors  of  day  and  night  to  open  and  shut  them 
at  the  proper  hour.    She  hung  up  the  new  moons 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  367 


in  the  skies,  and  cut  up  the  old  ones  into  stars. 
In  times  of  drought,  if  properly  propitiated,  she 
would  spin  light  summer  clouds  out  of  cobwebs 
and  morning  dew,  and  send  them  off  from  the 
crest  of  the  mountain,  flake  after  flake,  like  flakes 
of  carded  cotton,  to  float  in  the  air;  until,  dis- 
solved by  the  heat  of  the  sun,  they  would  fall  in 
gentle  showers,  causing  the  grass  to  spring,  the 
fruits  to  ripen,  and  the  corn  to  grow  an  inch  an 
hour.  If  displeased,  however,  she  would  brew  up 
clouds  black  as  ink,  sitting  in  the  midst  of  them 
like  a  bottle-bellied  spider  in  the  midst  of  its 
web;  and  when  these  clouds  broke,  woe  betide 
the  valleys ! 

In  old  times,  say  the  Indian  traditions,  there  was 
a  kind  of  Manitou  or  Spirit,  who  kept  about  the 
wildest  recesses  of  the  Catskill  Mountains,  and 
took  a  mischievous  pleasure  in  wreaking  all  kinds 
of  evils  and  vexations  upon  the  red  men.  Some- 
times he  would  assume  the  form  of  a  bear,  a 
panther,  or  a  deer,  lead  the  bewildered  hunter  a 
weary  chase  through  tangled  forests  and  among 
ragged  rocks;  and  then  spring  off  with  a  loud 
ho!  ho!  leaving  him  aghast  on  the  brink  of  a 
beetling  precipice  or  raging  torrent. 

The  favorite  abode  of  this  Manitou  is  still 
shown.  It  is  a  great  rock  or  cliff  on  the  loneliest 
part  of  the  mountains,  and,  from  the  flowering 
vines  which  clamber  about  it,  and  the  wild  flowers 
which  abound  in  its  neighborhood,  is  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Garden  Rock.     Near  the  foot  of 


368  STUDIES  IN  READING 

it  is  a  small  lake,  the  haunt  of  the  solitary  bittern, 
with  watersnakes  basking  in  the  sun  on  the  leaves 
of  the  pond-lilies  which  lie  on  the  surface.  This 
place  was  held  in  great  awe  by  the  Indians,  inso- 
much that  the  boldest  hunter  would  not  pursue 
his  game  within  its  precincts.  Once  upon  a  time, 
however,  a  hunter  who  had  lost  his  way  pene- 
trated to  the  Garden  Rock,  where  he  beheld  a 
number  of  gourds  placed  in  the  crotches  of  trees. 
One  of  these  he  seized  and  made  off  with  it,  but  in 
the  hurry  of  his  retreat  he  let  it  fall  among  the 
rocks,  when  a  great  stream  gushed  forth,  which 
washed  him  away  and  swept  him  down  precipices, 
where  he  was  dashed  to  pieces,  and  the  stream 
made  its  way  to  the  Hudson,  and  continues  to  flow 
to  the  present  day;  being  the  identical  stream 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Kaaterskill. — Washing- 
ton Irving. 

EXERCISES 

Pages  337-343 
Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  dismembered,  magical  hues, 
barometers,  descried,  antiquity,  precise  truth,  chivalrous 
days,  obsequious,  conciliating,  shrews,  pliant,  malleable, 
fiery  furnace  of  domestic  tribulation,  termagant  wife,  tol- 
erable blessing,  with  impunity,  insuperable  aversion,  as- 
siduity, pestilent,  patrimonial  estate,  galligaskins,  well- 
oiled  dispositions,  dinning,  torrent  of  household  eloquence, 
fain,  sole  domestic  adherent,  yelping  precipitation. 

1.  Where  is  the  scene  of  this  story  laid? 

2.  Who  was  Diedrich  Knickerbocker? 

3.  What  is  a  posthumous  writing? 

4.  Why  does  Irving  produce  this  story  as  such  a  writing? 

5.  Why  does  the  author  hint  that  "it  begins  to  be  suspected  that 

he    (Diedrich  Knickerbocker)    never  intended  to  injure  or 
offend"  ? 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  369 

6.  Why  does  Irving  place  the  quotation  on  truth  at  the  begin- 

ning of  the  story? 

7.  What  fables  and  traditions  are  connected  with  the  Catskills? 

8.  Why  were  these  mountains  "regarded  as  perfect  barometers" 

and  spoken  of  as  "fairy  mountains"  ? 

9.  Describe  Rip  Van  Winkle  and  his  surroundings  as  here  given. 

10.  Why  was  Rip  Van   Winkle  liked  by   all  the   women   of  the 

neighborhood  ? 

11.  Why  was  he  such  a  general  favorite  with  children? 

12.  Cite  passages  to  show  just  what  kind  of  man  he  was. 

13.  Explain  "well-oiled  disposition." 

Pages  31^351 
Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  dapper,  junto,  patriarch,  ad- 
herents, vehemently,  perfect  approbation,  tranquillity,  terri- 
ble virago,  reciprocated,  lagging  bark,  impending  cliffs, 
encountering,  vague  apprehension,  singularity,  cloth  jerkin, 
usual  alacrity,  amphitheatre,  perpendicular  precipices,  in- 
comprehensible, quaint  outlandish  fashion,  doublets,  sugar- 
loaf  hat,  hanger,  melancholy  party  of  pleasure,  lacklustre 
countenances,  quaffed,  reiterated,  flagon. 

14.  Just   what   kind    of   person   was    Dame   Van    Winkle?     Give 

proofs. 

15.  To  what  extent  was  Rip  Van  Winkle's  shiftlessness  due  to  the 

sharp  tongue  of  his  wife  ? 

16.  How  did  her  disposition  affect  even  the  dog  Wolf? 

17.  How  did  Rip  first  seek  relief  from  these  domestic  storms? 

18.  Cite  passages  showing  that  this  "junto"  exactly  corresponds 

to  a  loafer's  club  in  a  present-day  village. 

19.  Why  was  not  Rip  safe  here? 

20.  To  what  extreme  was  he  next  driven  in  self-defense? 

21.  Describe  in  your  own  words  the  scene  from  the  green  knoll 

when  Rip  paused  to  rest. 

22.  What  now  attracted  Rip's  attention? 

23.  Describe  the  approaching  stranger. 

24.  What  request  did  the  stranger  make  by  sign  to  Rip? 

25.  What  did  Rip  see  in  the  amphitheatre? 

26.  What  experiences  did  he  have  there? 

27.  What  in  it  all  seemed  so  odd  to  him? 

28.  What  caused  his  "deep  sleep"  ? 


370  STUDIES  IN  READING 


Pages  351-358 

^Vords  and  Expressions  for  Study:  woe-begone  party,  fire-lock, 
roysterers,  gambol,  made  shift,  toilsome  way,  impenetrable, 
perplexities,  recurrence,  addled,  forlorn,  connubial  fears, 
gaping  windows,  singularly  metamorphosed,  disputatious 
tone,  phlegm,  doling,  haranguing  vehemently,  Babylonish 
jargon,   vacant   stupidity,    arm   akimbo,  tory. 

29.  What  were  the  first  thoughts  which  came  to  him  on  waking? 

30.  What  strange  experiences  did  he  now  have? 

31.  What  changes  had  appeared  in  his  surroundings  since  he  fell 

asleep? 

32.  What  strange  sights  confronted  him  upon  his  return  to  his 

native  village  and  to  his  home? 

33.  W^hy  should  he  now  be  called  "a  tory"? 

34.  What  political  changes  had  taken  place  since  his  departure 

from  the  village? 

35.  How  did  Rip  finally  manage  to  prove  his  identity  to  these 

people  ? 

Pages  359-368 

Words  and  Expressions  for  Study:  squall,  enormous  lapses  of 
time,  precise  counterpart,  train  of  recollections,  corrobo- 
rated, vigil,  ditto,  hereditary  disposition,  species  of  des- 
potism, petticoat  government,  flighty,  draught. 

36.  Explain  "tap  their  fingers  against  their  foreheads." 

37.  What  is  the  true  explanation  of  his  strange  behavior? 

38.  Why  did  Rip  prefer  to  make  friends  among  the  younger  gen- 

eration ? 

39.  Explain  "idle  with  impunity,"  "regular  track  of  gossip,"  "pet- 

ticoat government." 

40.  How  did  Rip  get  "his  neck  out  of  the  yoke  of  matrimony"? 

41.  Since  Rip  told  his  story,  how  did  the  inhabitants  regard  a 

thunder-storm  in  the  Catskills  ? 

42.  Give  a  short  summary  of  the  story. 

43.  What  seems  to  you  to  be  the  author's  purpose  in  writing  thi« 

story? 


RIP   VAN   WINKLE  371 


ADDITIONAL  READINGS 

Irving:   Sketch  Book.  Knickerbocker's  History  of  New  York. 

Grimm  Brothers:  The  Sleeping  Beauty. 

Thor  and  the  Giants. 

Hale  :  The  Man  without  a  Country. 

Lowell:   Vision  of  Sir  Launfal. 

Andersen:  The  Snow  Queen. 


A  PROPHECY 
These  lines  were  first  published  in  England  in 
1345,  before  the  discovery  of  America,  and  before 
any  of  the  discoveries  and  inventions  mentioned 
therein. 

Carriage  without  horses  shall  go, 

And  accidents  fill  the  world  with  woe. 

Around  the  world  tlioughts  will  fly 

In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

The  world  upside  down  sliall  be. 

And  gold  be  found  at  root  of  tree. 

Through  hills  men  shall  ride. 

And  no  horse  nor  ass  be  at  his  side. 

Under  water  man  shall  walk. 

Shall  ride,  shall  sleep,  shall  talk. 

In  the  air  men  shall  be  seen. 

In  white,  in  black,  in  green. 

Iron  in  the  water  shall  float 

As  easy  as  a  wooden  boat. 

Fire  and  water  shall  wonders  do, 

England  at  least  shall  admit  a  Jew. 

And  this  world  to  an  end  shall  come 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-one. 

— Mother  Shipton. 


YB  36836 


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